Foundation Repair Methods Compared (Saskatoon)
Last updated: June 2026
Crack injection seals leaking cracks ($500-$1,500) but does not stop movement; helical piles and underpinning stabilize and lift a settling foundation ($300-$700 per pile, 10-30 piles); wall anchors and carbon fiber straps fix bowing walls. The right method depends on whether your problem is a leak, settlement or wall pressure. Below is a side-by-side comparison.
Method comparison table
| Method | Fixes | What it does | Typical cost | Best when |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyurethane crack injection | Leaking / shrinkage cracks | Seals the crack with flexible resin | $500 - $1,500 | Crack is non-structural and stable |
| Helical / screw piles | Settlement, sloping floors | Drives steel piles below frost line; stabilizes and can lift | $300 - $700 per pile (10-30 piles) | Foundation has settled or keeps moving |
| Push / resistance piers | Settlement | Uses home's weight to drive piers to stable soil | Similar per-pile range | Heavy structure, settlement |
| Underpinning (broad) | Settling / undersized foundation | Strengthens and deepens support, often with piles | $24,000 - $60,000+ project | Structural settlement, permanent fix |
| Carbon fiber straps | Early bowing walls | Bonds high-strength straps to hold the wall | Project-dependent | Wall bowing is early / moderate |
| Steel wall anchors | Serious bowing walls | Ties wall back to stable soil or braces | Project-dependent | Wall has moved significantly |
| Waterproofing / drainage | Water, soil pressure | Removes water, relieves pressure on walls | $2,200 - $8,100 range | Wet basement, pressure on walls |
Helical piles vs underpinning
Underpinning is the broad goal (stronger, deeper support). Helical piles are a leading way to achieve it: fast, low-vibration, installed below the frost line, and often able to lift the home back toward level. Older mass-concrete underpinning is reserved for specific cases. See helical piles · See underpinning.
Crack injection vs piering
Injection is for leaks. Piering is for movement. If a crack keeps reopening after injection, the foundation is moving and needs piers, not more resin. The mistake we see most often is sealing a structural crack and assuming the problem is solved.
Wall anchors vs carbon fiber straps
Both stop a bowing wall. Carbon fiber straps suit walls that are still relatively straight and only beginning to bow. Steel wall anchors handle walls that have moved further and need to be tied back to stable ground. See bowing wall repair.
How we choose
We match the method to the cause, confirmed on site: a leak gets injection, settlement gets piles, a bowing wall gets straps or anchors, and water problems get drainage. Many homes need a combination. We explain exactly why we recommend what we do, and put it in writing.
Related: Cost · Signs · Helical piles · Bowing wall repair