OPEN MON–SAT
(423) 500-6956
When Chattanooga's clay soils shift, foundations settle. Our piering and underpinning systems transfer your home's weight to stable, load-bearing soil — stopping settlement and often lifting the foundation back toward level.
Foundation settlement is one of the most common structural problems in the Tennessee Valley. Expansive red clay and Chattanooga Shale swell when wet and shrink when dry, and that constant movement can leave parts of your foundation unsupported. The result: stair-step cracks in brick veneer, sloping floors, sticking doors, and gaps around window frames.
Piering — also called underpinning — solves this at the source. Steel piers are driven deep below the unstable surface soil until they reach load-bearing strata or bedrock. The foundation's weight is then transferred onto the piers, stabilizing the structure permanently. In many cases, the system can also lift settled sections back toward their original position.
Two pier types cover most Chattanooga homes. Helical piers screw into the soil like giant augers and work well where soil conditions vary. Push piers (resistance piers) are hydraulically driven using the home's own weight as resistance and suit heavier structures. During an inspection, we determine which system fits your soil, foundation type, and settlement pattern — then give you a clear written plan.
We assess the settlement pattern, soil conditions, and foundation type at your home.
Pier locations, depths, and type are mapped to your home's specific needs.
Piers are driven to load-bearing soil and the foundation is stabilized — and lifted where possible.
We provide foundation piering & underpinning throughout Chattanooga, TN and nearby communities including Hixson, Soddy-Daisy, Ooltewah, Signal Mountain, East Ridge, Red Bank, Collegedale, Cleveland, Harrison, Apison, Dayton, Jasper, Dunlap, and Lookout Mountain (TN & GA). Not sure if we cover your address? Call (423) 500-6956.
Stair-step brick cracks, sloping floors, and sticking doors are classic signs of settlement. Only an on-site inspection can confirm whether piers are the right fix — and which type.
In many cases, yes — the system is designed to both stabilize and attempt to lift settled areas. The achievable lift depends on the structure and soil conditions, which we assess during inspection.
Most residential piering projects in the Chattanooga area are completed in a few days, with most work happening outside the home.
Yes — that is exactly what they are for. Piers bypass the unstable clay entirely and bear on deep, stable soil or bedrock below it.
Scenic City Foundation Co. • Chattanooga, TN 37402
(423) 500-6956 • hello@sceniccityfoundation.com • Mon–Sat 8am–6pm