Front Porch Settling in Corinth, MS: How Helical Piers and PolyLevel Delivered a Permanent Fix

 

When a Settling Front Porch Threatens Your Forever Home

For homeowners, few things are more concerning than watching part of their home slowly pull away. In Corinth, MS, Joey G. noticed exactly that happening to his front porch. What started as a subtle slope soon became a visible problem: the porch slab had settled forward by as much as 1.25 inches, causing the porch columns that support the roof to detach from their bases.

This wasn’t just a cosmetic issue. This was Joey’s forever home, and like many homeowners in North Mississippi, he wanted long-term peace of mind—not a temporary patch.

The Problem: A Slab-on-Fill Porch Settling Away From the Home

Key Warning Signs of Porch Settlement

• Front porch slab tilting forward
• Separation between porch and home
• Roof-support columns becoming loose
• Uneven brick steps with no structural footing

In this case, the settlement was worst on the right side, a common pattern when soil conditions beneath a slab-on-fill porch are inconsistent. Over time, loose or poorly compacted soil compresses, creating voids that concrete cannot bridge on its own.

Left unaddressed, this type of settlement can:

• Compromise roof support
• Lead to further structural separation
• Create safety hazards and costly future repairs

Comparing Repair Options: Underpinning vs. Helical Piers

Like many homeowners, Joey received multiple proposals. One local concrete company offered traditional underpinning at roughly half the price. While the lower cost was tempting, price alone doesn’t tell the whole story.

Why Traditional Underpinning Falls Short

• Relies on shallow soil that may already be failing
• Does not bypass weak or compressible layers
• Often lacks long-term performance guarantees
• Higher risk of continued settlement over time

Underpinning can sometimes stabilize a structure temporarily, but it does not address the root cause when poor soil conditions are present at depth.

The Permanent Solution: Helical Piers with PolyLevel Backfill

Why Helical Piers Were Recommended

Helical piers are designed to transfer structural loads past weak surface soils and into stable, load-bearing strata. For Joey’s porch, this meant true long-term stabilization rather than a short-term fix.

During installation:

• The top of the footer was found approximately 8 inches below grade
• The footer itself was roughly 18 inches thick
• Piers were installed to structurally support the porch, including through the area beneath the brick steps

Yes, the brick steps had to be temporarily removed—but this allowed the piers to be placed exactly where they were needed for proper load transfer.

Precision Lifting and Structural Recovery

Once the helical piers were installed, the porch was carefully lifted.

Results That Spoke for Themselves

• Porch was lifted nearly 1.5 inches
• Out of six loose porch columns, five re-seated themselves naturally
• Structural alignment was dramatically improved without stressing the home

This level of recovery is rarely possible with surface-level repairs.

PolyLevel Injection: Filling Voids and Locking in Stability

After lifting, PolyLevel polyurethane foam was used to backfill voids beneath the slab.

Why PolyLevel Matters

• Expands to fill hidden voids left by soil erosion
• Lightweight and non-invasive
• Prevents future slab movement
• Complements helical piers for a complete system

The combination of deep structural support (helical piers) and subsurface stabilization (PolyLevel) ensures the porch remains stable for decades—not just years.

The Outcome: Peace of Mind for a Forever Home

Joey’s biggest concern wasn’t just the porch—it was making the right long-term decision. While the upfront investment was higher than traditional underpinning, he ultimately chose a solution designed to last.

The installation went smoothly, the homeowner was engaged throughout the process, and the final results restored both the structure and confidence in the home’s future.

Why Method Matters More Than Price in Structural Repairs

When it comes to foundation and porch repairs:

• Cheaper solutions often address symptoms, not causes
• Permanent systems protect home value and safety
• Correct installation methods reduce future costs and stress

Choosing the right repair method is an investment in stability, safety, and peace of mind.

Don’t Ignore the Signs of Porch or Foundation Settlement

If your porch is settling, pulling away from your home, or showing signs of structural movement, don’t wait for the damage to worsen.

Schedule a professional inspection today to learn whether helical piers, PolyLevel, or another permanent solution is right for your home. The earlier the problem is addressed, the more options—and peace of mind—you’ll have.