Foundation construction and repair for Metairie's shifting soils

Foundations with Oliver Nola

A house is only as sound as what it sits on, and in Metairie that question gets tested every year. The area's soft, clay-rich soils shrink in dry spells and swell when saturated, and many neighborhoods sit at or near sea level. Over time those movements show up as cracked slabs, sticking doors, sloping floors and gaps around windows. Oliver Nola builds new foundations and repairs existing ones with those soil conditions in mind.

For new construction and additions, we form and pour slab-on-grade foundations, build raised pier-and-beam systems and prepare foundations to an engineer's specifications, including deeper support where the soil requires it. We pay close attention to grading and drainage around the footprint, because managing water matters as much as the concrete itself.

For existing homes, the work starts with understanding the cause. A crack in a slab can be harmless shrinkage or a sign of ongoing settlement, and treating the symptom without the cause rarely lasts. We inspect the structure, document what we find and, when the situation calls for it, work with a structural engineer so the repair rests on a design rather than a guess.

Pier-and-beam homes, common in older parts of New Orleans, Metairie and Harahan, have their own needs: replacing deteriorated piers, sistering or replacing sills and beams, re-leveling floors and improving crawl space ventilation. These repairs often bring back doors that close properly and floors that feel solid underfoot.

Foundation work is disruptive by nature, so we plan it carefully. We explain how long the work will take, what access we need, how utilities may be affected and what the property will look like when we leave. The goal is a stable house and a yard that is restored, not torn up.

Many homeowners call us only after a problem has been building for years. If you are buying a home, planning an addition or simply noticed a new crack, an early assessment costs far less than a repair delayed until floors and walls are damaged.

Many homeowners call us only after a problem has been building for years. If you are buying a home, planning an addition or simply noticed a new crack, an early assessment costs far less than a repair delayed until floors and walls are damaged.

Planning more than one project? See how this service connects with new construction and concrete work, or read answers on our FAQ page.