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 saved us thousands! Great service, will recommend!
Andrew Y. | October 18, 2021
We’ve had water in our basement countless times since we moved in. Greg from Regional Foundation Repair spent a few days installing a waterproofing system and bam - no issues since! Thank you so much RFR!
Eddie W. | October 15, 2021
Finally a foundation company that responds, gets the job done, and includes an actual warranty for the work! Will use RFR again, and recommending to friends and family.
Jessica B. | October 12, 2021
Another company said that our foundation was too far gone and needed to be replaced. That’s when we found Regional Foundation Repair. They saved us thousands! Great service, will recommend!
Andrew Y. | Oct 18, 2021
We’ve had water in our basement countless times since we moved in. Greg from Regional Foundation Repair spent a few days installing a waterproofing system and bam - no issues since! Thank you so much RFR!
Eddie W. | Oct 15, 2021
Finally a foundation company that responds, gets the job done, and includes an actual warranty for the work! Will use RFR again, and recommending to friends and family.
Jessica B. | Oct 12, 2021
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
Tampa, Florida is one of the quintessential cities for retiring and easy living, offering an abundance of entertainment, accessible transportation, affordable housing, and long stretches of beautiful beaches.
However, owning property in the Tampa Bay area isn’t all about relaxation. Unfortunately, home foundations are at severe risk of damage and sometimes astronomical repair costs.
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 Tampa. Our pros have years of experience and are familiar with the nuances of Tampa 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 different reasons for foundation problems in Tampa and the symptoms that typically appear throughout your home when there is an issue.
We’ll also offer some advice on monitoring your property for problems, and we’ll provide some average pricing for the most common foundation repair services in the city and the surrounding area.
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: 10/20/2021
Location: Tampa, FL
Description: 1956 House, corner of my Florida room subsides about 1.5 accross a 10' window. Need to lift and flatten for the new addition of windows. Settlement fix needs to be done first.
Date of Request: 10/19/2021
Location: Tampa, FL
Description: We have rotted wood girder in the crawl space and home is starting to show signs of sinking. We would like to fix it. Thank you.
Date of Request: 10/19/2021
Location: Tampa, FL
Description: Do you do minor repair on broken section of a driveway?
Date of Request: 10/16/2021
Location: Tampa, FL
Description: Home inspection report indicated some foundation and soil issues on our home. Would like you to validate and suggest a remedy for the issues
Date of Request: 10/13/2021
Location: Tampa, FL
Description: The soil/underlayment on my fiberglass pool is moving causing it to crack and need repair every two years. Do you all do injection or packing services to stop the movement?
Date of Request: 10/11/2021
Location: Tampa, FL
Description: Pier and beam foundation with a crawlspace. House built in 1935 has two sections that need repair. One is 26x36 and the other is 23x12. Also stem wall repair on the 26x36 section. I am considering the feasibility of adding a second story, either partial of to the entire space.
Does Foundation Movement Affect Tampa, Florida?
Foundation movement is a prevalent problem in Western and Central Florida. Homeowners in Tampa, Orlando, Sarasota, Brooksville, Gainesville, Hudson, Palm Harbor and several other nearby cities are faced with foundation issues and costly repairs on a regular basis.
What Causes Foundation Problems In Tampa, Florida?
Several factors give rise to foundation problems in Tampa. We’ll discuss each of the more common underlying causes of damages below and the impact they have on your home’s foundation.
Much of the soil in Tampa and the rest of Hillsborough County is Myakka soil, which is characterized by rapid permeability, in large part because of the abundance of large sand particles.
However, the Tampa area lies in lowlands where the groundwater is high, and the little topographical relief leaves the area poorly drained. These two factors create severe issues for concrete foundations.
Rapidly draining, sandy soil is problematic because it’s prone to erosion. Draining runoff after precipitation or flooding moves quickly through the ground and can take or shift sand particles as it flows downward.
This ground movement can occur at varying rates under your house, sometimes leaving sections of your foundation without equal support. The erratic movement is referred to as differential settling, and it can quickly lead to structural damage and instability.
The ground in Tampa is poorly drained due to its location at a low elevation and with little relief, so groundwater accumulates quickly and very near to the surface. This is the primary reason homes in the city aren’t built with basements or crawlspaces, but even houses built slab-on-grade can be affected by the poor drainage.
High groundwater can leave home foundations exposed to moisture for long periods, especially following precipitation. Concrete is porous and cracks relatively easily, so exposure to runoff leaves your home exposed to water intrusion and moisture accumulation, both of which can cause water damage, mold growth, and deterioration of the framing and supports in your home.
Florida is well-known for its sporadic but frequent rainfall, and residents of Tampa experience around 44 inches of rain each year, about 50% higher than the national average.
The excessive precipitation in Tampa contributes to the problems with the soil mentioned above. Frequent rain means that the chances of underground erosion and the resulting differential settling are higher.
The above-average rainfall also means that the ground gets saturated more regularly, leaving little to no room for additional runoff to drain. This puts the city at risk of flooding during thunderstorms and periods of frequent rainfall. Tidal flooding is also a risk, especially during heavy precipitation.
Flooding leaves your concrete foundation exposed to water in the soil for extended periods, increasing the likelihood of water intrusion and moisture build-up in your house. It also contributes to underground erosion of the sandy soil and hazardous differential settling.
Tampa’s desirable tropical climate doesn’t come without the risk of hurricanes and tropical storms during hurricane season. Luckily, the city’s location on the west coast of Florida and the protection it gets from the Pinellas Peninsula mean that storms in Tampa rarely hit land.
However, the monthly rainfall from June to September during hurricane season is about triple what it is the rest of the year, and residents clearly see the effects every year.
Hurricane season and the heavy rainfall it brings to Tampa contribute heavily to flooding, moisture problems, water intrusion, and differential settling in the city.
The heavy rainfall and abundance of organic material in Pinellas County contribute to a high soil acidity. Acidic soil is detrimental to foundations because it slowly eats away at the concrete. Over time, your foundation can deteriorate and weaken, sometimes to the point where its structural integrity is compromised.
Lastly, much of Florida – including Tampa – is situated above limestone and dolostone bedrock. These minerals are supportive, but they dissolve in the presence of water. The abundant runoff and groundwater in Western Florida regularly interact with the bedrock, gradually wearing away the minerals and leaving underground caverns and channels.
These voids are called karst, and they leave the soil above without support. The sandy soil eventually collapses into the caverns and waterways, making sinkholes a prevalent issue.
Sinkholes can be catastrophic for home foundations because they can cause massive instability and the sudden collapse of your structure. The structural damage above a sinkhole can be immense and often necessitates the highest foundation repair costs.
What Are The Signs of Basement Foundation Damage In Tampa, Florida?
The many causes of foundation damage in Tampa can elicit various changes throughout your home. It’s helpful to know what type of damage creates specific symptoms, so we’ll provide an explanation of the most common signs of foundation problems in Tampa below, along with the most likely cause.
Foundation cracks can be challenging to locate in Tampa, as most homes are built on concrete slab foundations, which means the concrete is covered by other building material. If you’re able to identify cracks from outside or when you reveal the slab to replace the flooring, the size and physical characteristics can help determine the severity.
Hairline cracks that form on your slab and span out into a web of additional cracks are typically due to the concrete’s natural settling process after new construction. These thin gaps form on most slab foundations, and they generally don’t indicate structural damage. Given the high risk of water intrusion and moisture accumulation in Tampa, the best practice is to have these fissures sealed by a foundation repair specialist.
If the cracks in your slab widen to over ⅛” or become uneven from one side of the gap to the other, the problem is likely more severe. These characteristics typically suggest that your home is suffering from differential settling, an unfortunate but common situation in Tampa. Stabilization is the best option for avoiding additional sinking, and concrete leveling is often used to maintain a level base for your structure above.
Cracks visible on the outside of your foundation in a vertical orientation are often not a significant cause for concern, as they most commonly develop in response to natural concrete settling. Minimal crack repair is usually needed to resist widening and water intrusion through these fissures.
Fissures that extend around the corners of your concrete foundation that are visible outside your home are another sign of differential settling.
The corners of your structure are the most prone to the effects of underground erosion, and these gaps commonly signify that the area of concrete has lost support from settling soil and is sinking into the ground more rapidly than the rest of your foundation. These cracks require structural repair that can be quite costly.
The acidic soil in Tampa can gradually deteriorate your concrete foundation. The process typically happens over a period of many years, but eventually, you may notice symptoms on the outside of your home.
You may see large gouges in your concrete or crumbling sections of the slab, sometimes weak enough to pull off with your fingers. These are clear signs that the acidic soil in Western Florida is compromising your foundation.
Lastly, water and moisture wicking through your concrete can build up between the slab foundation and your first floor. The increased humidity in your home can make the air feel less comfortable, often seeming hotter in the summer than your indoor thermostat may read. Uncomfortable temperatures in your living space or the resulting increases in your utility bills can indicate water problems.
The moisture accumulation under your floors can also promote mold growth, so musty odors or allergy symptoms in your living area can also be reasonable indications of water intrusion or water vapor seeping into your home from the soil below.
How to Find Signs of Foundation Damage In Tampa, Florida?
Your foundation is out of sight and out of mind most of the time, so identifying signs of damage to the concrete can be challenging. However, finding and correcting problems early can potentially save you tens of thousands of dollars in repair costs if you can prevent the issue from becoming severe. Below, we’ll detail an inspection you can carry out every three months or so to help identify problems as quickly as possible.
Most damages will begin with the concrete beneath your house, so you can start your inspection there. If you have access to the slab while you’re replacing flooring, examine it for signs of cracking and leaking.
Damages will often be visible from outside, so check the concrete around the perimeter of your house for damages. Look for cracks, crumbling, large gouges, and signs of uneven settling.
While you’re outside, check the rest of your home’s exterior for signs of damage as well. Cracks in your stucco, stone, or brick siding or a cracking or leaning chimney can suggest foundation settlement or shifting below. Similarly, wavy or sagging roofing can indicate differential settling.
In your yard, look for signs of settlement that could suggest that your foundation is at risk of related damage. Divots in your lawn, sinkholes, or damaged retaining walls or seawalls are typical signs of poor drainage and underground erosion.
Lastly, walk through your house and inspect your living space for signs of damage. Typical symptoms of differential settling include cracks in the sheetrock, bowing or leaning walls, nails popping out of the drywall, and doors or windows that are challenging to open or close. Your floor joists also rely on your foundation for a level base, so buckling or sloping flooring can also signify differential settling.
Water intrusion through your foundation typically creates water damage in your home, musty odors, and visible mold growth. You may also notice uncomfortable temperatures, high utility bills, and unexplained allergy symptoms.
Cost of Basement Foundation Repair In Tampa, Florida?
Foundation solutions in Tampa cost an average of approximately $5,500, but the price for your home improvement project can range from just a few hundred dollars up to $100,000. We’ll provide pricing for inpidual repair services below to help you get a better cost estimate.
Non-structural foundation cracks that result from normal concrete settling are the most affordable repair. You can have a general contractor apply epoxy or polyurethane grouting to prevent water intrusion for between $250 and $750, depending on the size of the fissure and the ease of access.
Differential settling problems are some of the more costly to repair. The best concrete leveling solution is typically underpinning, which involves placing supportive push piers under your home to add support. Helical piers are the most common type of piling used, and they cost about $3,000 each. The total cost falls anywhere between $10,000 and $20,000, on average.
Some foundation repair experts will use foamjacking, a concrete lifting technique that is significantly less expensive than underpinning. The process involves pumping expanding foam under your slab to raise the sinking area up to its original position. This type of concrete repair costs around $5,000 on average.
Most foundation contractors recommend getting the more costly solution done the first time around to avoid future slab lifting and additional repairs. However, foamjacking can be an excellent option for sinking patios or pool decks.
Water and moisture issues are prevalent in Tampa, but most can be fixed permanently with a waterproofing system. Your system can include a variety of waterproofing methods, including a French drain or other exterior drainage system, gutters, leaders, vapor barriers, foundation crawlspace encapsulation, and more. Most foundation repair contractors charge around $5,500, but your total can fall between $2,500 and $10,000, depending on the setup used and how extensive the warranty is.
Sinkhole repair is the most extensive and invasive procedure, making it the most costly as well. No two sinkholes are identical, so the cost to fill yours is very challenging to estimate. A foundation repair company can charge anywhere from a few thousand dollars to over $100,000 for soil stabilization. The average price to repair a sinkhole in Tampa is somewhere around $12,000.
Your sinkhole remediation total may increase by several thousands of dollars if you require interior repairs, siding or chimney repair, or seawall repair outside as a result of the sinkhole damage.
