In need of foundation repair? Our foundation repair specialists are ready to help.
Another company said that our foundation was too far gone and needed to be replaced. That’s when we found Regional Foundation Repair. They helped save us thousands! Great service, will recommend!
Andrew Y. | May 26, 2023
We’ve had water in our basement countless times since we moved in. This service sent a contractor who spent a few days installing a waterproofing system and bam - no issues since! Thank you so much!
Eddie W. | May 23, 2023
Finally a foundation company that responds, helps gets the job done, and offers a warranty for the work! Will use again, and recommending to friends and family.
Jessica B. | May 20, 2023
Another company said that our foundation was too far gone and needed to be replaced. That’s when we found Regional Foundation Repair. They helped save us thousands! Great service, will recommend!
Andrew Y. | May 26, 2023
We’ve had water in our basement countless times since we moved in. This service sent a contractor who spent a few days installing a waterproofing system and bam - no issues since! Thank you so much!
Eddie W. | May 23, 2023
Finally a foundation company that responds, helps gets the job done, and offers a warranty for the work! Will use again, and recommending to friends and family.
Jessica B. | May 20, 2023
Best Pricing On Labor and Materials
Professional, Efficient, and Friendly Service
Licensed Structural Engineers On Call 24/7
Flexible Payment Plans & Financing Options
Laser Level Measuring Practices
Worry Free Warranties On All Services
Jacksonville offers residents many of the most appealing features of Florida, including warm weather year-round and beautiful beaches, along with a relaxing, suburban atmosphere. However, there are some downsides to homeownership in the area. House foundations are at severe risk of damage due to the soil composition and the climate.
Regional Foundation Repair is one of the nation’s largest provider of foundation repair service. We have 1,000s of expert technicians ready right now in Jacksonville. Our pros have years of experience and are familiar with the nuances of Jacksonville soil conditions so you can be sure your foundation gets fixed the right way the first time. Gone are the days of worrying about shoddy craftsmanship, overpriced service, and unqualified pros.
During the job, our technicians are trained to explain their progress throughout the day and clean up properly before leaving the jobsite.
Depending on the availability of our technicians, we can generally get your job scheduled within 2 days. To start the process just submit your information in our form and we’ll be in touch within 24 hours with a pricing quote! In some cases we may need more detail to properly quote your project, so we will reach out via phone to schedule a free onsite inspection. Depending on your location we also offer virtual quotes!
For your benefit, we’ll be discussing the specific underlying causes of foundation problems in the Jacksonville area, the symptoms of these issues property owners most commonly see throughout their homes, and the best way to avoid severe property damage.
We’ll also offer some average pricing for typical repairs to give you an idea of what fixing your foundation damage may cost.
Pier Foundations
Concrete Slab
Basement Foundations
Crawl Space Foundation
Wood Foundation
- Erica J.
- Suja K.
- Dan T.
What Causes Bowing Foundation Walls & How It Can Be Corrected?
Foundation Crack Repair: Costs & Repair Options
Foundation Cracks
Foundation Installation Costs
Foundation Leak Repair
What Are The Common Signs Of Foundation Problems And When Should You Be Concerned?
Foundation Repair Methods
What Is Foundation Spalling & When Should You Be Concerned?
How Does Foundation Waterproofing Protect Your Home?
Date of Request: 05/28/2023
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Description: I have a question about repair of a damaged joist, I have heard of jacking and sistering, just looking for a good honest opinion and quote. There are no visible signs of damage inside the house like cracked walls or bowed floors. Thanks
Date of Request: 05/27/2023
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Description: This is a condominium community. We have a concrete sidewalk that meets a wood board walk that is sinking because of an irrigation issue we have. Just need to have it lifted.
Date of Request: 05/27/2023
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Description: Flooring has high and low points throughout the house. Need to add structural supports in crawlspace throughout level out flooring. As well as waterproofing in the crawlspace.
Date of Request: 05/24/2023
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Description: Crawl space beams didn't pass inspection. House is under contract to be sold. Trying to find the best and most affordable solution. Please advise when someone can come out to inspect asap
Date of Request: 05/21/2023
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Description: Need measurements on floor and under house for an estimate. Call me to schedule appt. Thanks!
Date of Request: 05/19/2023
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Description: I have a small but very nice outbuilding which is showing signs of settlement. I'd like to give it some support if possible.
Does Foundation Movement Affect Jacksonville, Florida?
Foundation movement occurs at an alarming rate in Northern Florida, more often than in many areas throughout the United States. For homeowners in Jacksonville, Duval, Orlando, Gainesville, and other cities in the surrounding area, foundation damage and the associated repairs are more a matter of “when” than a matter of “if.”
What Causes Foundation Problems In Jacksonville, Florida?
Jacksonville’s geology and weather patterns are mostly to blame for foundation issues in the city. Below, we’ll go over the specific factors that can damage your home’s foundation and why each is detrimental.
Soil is made up of three different particles: clay, sand, and silt. The ideal ground has equal parts of each to manage drainage and settling. Myakka, the soil in most of Jacksonville, is predominantly sand and contains a lower silt and clay concentration. The city’s coastal region has several other ancient marine soils, including Ortega, Kureb, Kershaw, Cornelia, and Blanton, all of which are also sandy and drain excessively quickly.
Rapidly draining earth is dangerous for foundations for two primary reasons, the first of which is the exposure to underground erosion. As rain falls and runoff rapidly soaks into the ground, it can quickly move the large sand particles that make up the soil. Even minimal deterioration of sand particles during drainage can create instability under and around your home, ultimately leading to an unsupported foundation.
Your concrete foundation relies on the soil for support to hold up your home above. If erosion leaves sections of your foundation without support, those sections tend to crack and sink more rapidly into the earth. The uneven sinking process – called differential settling – can very quickly lead to structural damage that compromises your home’s integrity.
Underground erosion is also dangerous because it can leave voids around your concrete. If runoff drains immediately around your home – a particular problem if gutters and downspouts aren’t used to redirect precipitation – it can erode the soil that usually contacts and supports your concrete. These voids can leave your foundation unsupported, but they can also fill with water and make water intrusion more likely.
Rapidly draining soil is most prone to erosion and the disparaging effects when runoff is draining into the earth, and Florida is well-known for its frequent showers and flooding.
The city experiences around 42 inches of rain per year, which is slightly above the national average. However, nearly ⅔ of the precipitation occurs between June and September, during which time the monthly rainfall is more than double what it is the rest of the year. This is partly because coastal Florida is prone to tropical storms and hurricanes during hurricane season.
The excessive and concentrated rainfall leads to a high risk of flooding, underground erosion, and voids around concrete foundations filling with water. As a result, Jacksonville homes are even more prone to differential settling, water intrusion, and moisture build-up.
The soil in Jacksonville is generally considered acidic. The ground nearest the coast is alkaline because of the effects of decaying and eroding seashells, but the soil becomes more acidic as you travel further west.
Acidic soil can deteriorate concrete foundations over time, potentially creating weaknesses that can cause foundation failure.
Lastly, Florida is underlain predominantly by limestone bedrock. Limestone is generally supportive, but it dissolves more readily than granite or shale bedrock when it’s exposed to water.
When runoff or groundwater interacts with the bedrock in Jacksonville, underground caverns and water channels develop as the limestone dissolves. These voids are the primary reason for sinkholes in Florida and the karst topography.
Weakness underground can create massive problems for foundations because the soil that supports your concrete relies on the bedrock below for rigidity. Underground caves and tunnels can eventually generate instability in the ground above, resulting in catastrophic differential settling under your home.
What Are The Signs of Basement Foundation Damage In Jacksonville, Florida?
Foundations in Jacksonville are prone to various problems, all of which can elicit different symptoms in your home. Below, we’ll discuss the more prevalent signs of foundation damage in Northeastern Florida and the underlying cause that is most likely to cause them.
Foundation cracks are typical in all concrete foundations, whether the soil is problematic or not. Therefore, they can mean anything from normal settling to severe structural instability. Since most Jacksonville homes are built on slab foundations, it will be most helpful to discuss the gap’s severity based on the physical characteristics.
Hairline cracks in your concrete slab will most often be visible outside your home, but you may find them under carpeting or hardwood flooring if the concrete is exposed in your living space. Thin cracks are typically present on all foundations, as they develop during the natural settling process of the concrete. It’s best to seal them to prevent water and moisture from getting into your home, but they usually don’t require structural repair.
If you find cracks in your slab foundation that grow to more than ⅛” wide or that have one side rising above the other, there is more cause for concern. These fissures most often form because differential settling is occurring underneath, either because of underground erosion or sinkhole formation. They can signify structural damage, so they should be inspected and addressed by a foundation repair specialist as quickly as possible.
You may also find cracks developing around the corners of your home. These are generally most obvious from the outside, but you may find them in your living space if your concrete is exposed.
The corners of your structure are most prone to the effects of foundation settlement, so cracks that span the corners of the slab or that lead into downward sloping floors in your house are reasonable indications of differential movement of the earth below. This type of damage is generally structural, so it requires immediate stabilization.
The acidic soil in Jacksonville can deteriorate and weaken concrete over time. The process typically takes decades to become severe, but it does occur regularly throughout the city, especially in older homes.
Most homeowners notice crumbling areas of their foundation from outside or large gouges in the concrete. Some find that they can pull small pieces of the foundation off with their fingers. These are signs of severe deterioration that can eventually lead to instability of your structure above.
Lastly, you may notice that your indoor air quality decreases if water intrusion or moisture build-up are a problem on your property. When runoff comes in contact with your foundation, it can wick through small cracks or pores in the concrete and accumulate under or inside your home.
The signs of humid air in your house include uncomfortably hot temperatures because of the humidity, increased utility bills as you and your family try to compensate for the hotter air, and mold growth between your foundation and construction materials above. Some homeowners experience allergy symptoms or musty odors as a result as well.
How to Find Signs of Foundation Damage In Jacksonville, Florida?
Foundation issues tend to start small and develop over time, so catastrophic damages can sometimes be avoided if they’re caught early. As such, identifying the symptoms of foundation problems as quickly as possible is essential for limiting the damage and, ultimately, the cost you’ll pay to correct them.
Below, we’ll detail a home inspection you can carry out every three to four months that will help locate problems before they become significant.
The best place to find signs of foundation damage will be on the concrete under your structure. However, a foundation inspection can be challenging in Jacksonville because most homes are built slab-on-grade.
If you’re able to expose the concrete under your flooring during home improvement projects or renovations, that can give you access to a larger portion of your slab. If not, your examination will have to take place outside.
Check for cracks developing in the concrete inside or out, and pay careful attention to the corners of your property, where gaps tend to be the most dangerous.
Once you’re done checking the visible concrete under your home, turn your attention to the rest of your structure outside. Foundation movement generally affects the framing of your entire house, so you’ll likely be able to see evidence of differential sinking in the siding and roofing if the movement is severe enough.
First, examine your siding for cracks. These can form if a portion of your home sinks deeper into the ground than the rest and the framing inside shifts in response. They begin most commonly around the bottom of your home, but the rigid stucco siding that is typical in Jacksonville can crack anywhere along your house’s exterior.
Next, check for leaning chimneys, retaining walls, or seawalls, as these are all indications that your structure is experiencing uneven settling.
Lastly, inspect the roofline for signs of sagging, a good indication that settling is occurring and leaving your home without the support it needs.
You can finish your inspection inside, where signs of water intrusion and differential settling can also be evident. Start by looking for cracks in your sheetrock, particularly around windows and doors. You may see nails popping out of the drywall or walls visibly bulging over areas where differential settling occurs.
Check your flooring to ensure that it’s level. Any areas that slope or sag can indicate settling below, especially if the floor bows downward near the corners of your home.
Lastly, take note of uncomfortably hot or humid conditions in your house, and pay attention for musty smells that could indicate mold growth as a result of water seeping through your foundation.
Cost of Basement Foundation Repair In Jacksonville, Florida?
Most foundation repair services in Jacksonville cost around $4,500, but your price can range wildly, sometimes topping $100,000. We’ll offer some project-specific pricing below to help you estimate what your solution will cost.
Hairline cracks are generally the easiest type of foundation damage to treat, as they usually just need to be sealed with polyurethane or epoxy. Most foundation repair companies charge between $250 and $750 for this minor slab repair, depending on the gap’s size and ease of access.
Differential settling is one of Jacksonville’s most common causes of foundation problems, as the rapidly draining soil is so prevalent. The price to correct this issue usually totals around $20,000.
Most foundation repair contractors use underpinning to correct settling problems, which involves placing push piers under your foundation to provide support. Helical piers are the most common type used in Jacksonville because of the unreliable limestone bedrock. Helical piles cost an average of $3,000 each, and your home may need between three and ten piers.
Some contractors use mud jacking, a form of concrete leveling, to correct minor settlement problems. This type of repair is cheaper at an average of $2,000, but it’s not permanent, rarely includes an extensive warranty, and consequently provides less peace of mind.
Even though most Jacksonville foundations are slabs, a basement or crawlspace waterproofing system is the best solution for addressing water intrusion and moisture build-up under your house. These systems often include French drains, vapor barriers, crawlspace encapsulation, gutters, downspouts, and soil gradation to keep water away from your concrete.
The cost for one of these systems can vary a bit depending on your property, type of foundation, and the extent of the problem, but the average price to waterproof slab foundations is approximately $3,000. Waterproofing as a form of basement or crawlspace repair can cost up to $10,000.
Sinkholes can cause immense amounts of damage to your foundation, and it’s not always possible to predict where they will occur. As such, you may find that you need to fill a sinkhole if differential settling is a problem on your property.
Even small sinkholes can cost around $12,000 to fill, as the process of locating and drilling down to them safely is expensive and time-consuming. The repair process for sinkholes is complicated, so it’s best to opt for a foundation contractor with years of experience and positive testimonials.
Unfortunately, your cost can extend beyond $100,000 if you need to fill large or multiple sinkholes and repair the damages they caused to your structure.
