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 30, 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 27, 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 24, 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 30, 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 27, 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 24, 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
Lexington is regularly ranked as one of the top cities to live and work in the United States, but homeownership in the city and the surrounding area isn’t without its problems. Homes in Lexington are at a particularly high risk of foundation damage caused by various geological and weather-related factors that can cost property owners thousands.
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 Lexington. Our pros have years of experience and are familiar with the nuances of Lexington 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’re going to discuss the underlying causes unique to Lexington that regularly damage home foundations. We’ll also review some signs around your house that can indicate you have a problem and some average pricing for typical foundation repair services in the city.
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: 06/01/2023
Location: Lexington, KY
Description: I need my front steps lifted on one side.
Date of Request: 05/31/2023
Location: Lexington, KY
Description: I need a quote for floor joist repair and and possible crawlspace waterproofing. We are looking at purchasing a home and the inspection noted water damage and rotted floor joists.
Date of Request: 05/31/2023
Location: Lexington, KY
Description: I have a rental property that needs attention. Support beams and jacks.
Date of Request: 05/28/2023
Location: Lexington, KY
Description: Water seems to be seeping through our basement wall, there is a crack in the ceiling, and the floor has a 3mm split in it. We need someone to look at it and advise us about necessary steps.
Date of Request: 05/25/2023
Location: Lexington, KY
Description: Looking to buy this home and some foundational issues came up on inspection report would like to see how much those repairs would cost
Date of Request: 05/23/2023
Location: Lexington, KY
Description: My foundation is settling, walls are cracking, and doors don't close well. I'd like to get it fixed before it gets worse.
Does Foundation Movement Affect Lexington, Kentucky?
Unfortunately, property owners in Lexington, Frankfort, Nicholasville, and many other nearby cities are at elevated risk of foundation movement. Foundation repair is prevalent in and around the city and regularly involves restoring structural integrity to compromised houses.
What Causes Foundation Problems In Lexington, Kentucky?
There are a few factors at play in Kentucky that put Lexington home foundations at risk. We’ll pe into each of these in-depth below.
Lexington and much of Fayette County are built on silty loam soil. This is generally considered the most secure ground for construction, as it doesn’t swell or shrink like clay-rich soils in many other areas. However, silty loam soil produces its own problems, especially for Lexington residents.
The ground in the area has excellent drainage, but it’s prone to erosion because it doesn’t readily absorb water. Your home’s foundation relies heavily on the weight of the soil around it for its structure, so even small instances of eroded soil can wreak havoc on homes in the area and leave sections of it without the support they need. This can lead to differential settling, which often causes sinking foundations and structural damage.
If enough erosion occurs, you may be left with voids around your concrete, which can then fill with water during rainfall and leave your foundation at high risk of water intrusion.
Water causes severe problems for foundations, as it can seep through gaps in your concrete or wick through the pores and into your under-home area. The longer exposure times caused by excessive erosion leave your home significantly more exposed to water and moisture damage.
The erosion of Lexington’s silty loam soil is made worse by the city’s above-average rainfall. On average, Fayette County receives around 50 inches of rain each year, approximately 160% of the national average.
The excessive precipitation results in heavy runoff, contributing to erosion, ground movement, and the associated foundation damages. The rainfall in Lexington also increases the risk of water and moisture issues in basements and crawlspaces.
Lexington’s soil is known to be highly acidic, often creating severe problems for crop growth and construction.
Acidic soil can be highly corrosive, damaging concrete over time and weakening to the point of structural instability. Foundations in Lexington can crumble and lose their ability to support the weight of the house above. In severe cases, entire homes can collapse as a result of the ongoing damage from the acid in the earth.
Lexington and much of northern Kentucky are built over limestone bedrock. Limestone is rigid and can offer adequate support for homes, but it dissolves when it comes in contact with water. The process is generally slow but can create unstable ground over long periods.
Karst is the term describing the dissolution of limestone and the formation of underground caves, often shaped by groundwater movement or runoff. As you can probably imagine, voids beneath the surface of the earth can leave your foundation without the support it needs. Foundations can sink uniformly, but more often than not, they become subjected to differential settling.
Uneven settling of foundations causes portions to crack and separate from the rest of the home, leaving the structure above without the level and secure platform it requires.
Lastly, northern Kentucky experiences relatively high humidity – often between 70 and 80% – throughout the entire year. Moist air can damage construction materials in any portion of your home, but basements and crawlspaces are at high risk of moisture build-up naturally. The high humidity in Lexington makes this issue more severe.
When humid air accumulates under your home, it can slowly deteriorate the floor joists, framing, and insulation that may be exposed. It can stimulate mold growth, which can cause further damage to building materials. Moist air can move up into your living space in a process called the stack effect, so similar damage can occur throughout your upper floors.
Insects and rodents are naturally attracted to moisture, so the humidity in Lexington can also leave your home prone to damage from carpenter ants, termites, and other destructive pests.
What Are The Signs of Basement Foundation Damage In Lexington, Kentucky?
There are several underlying causes of foundation damage in Lexington, the symptoms of which can be seen on your foundation and often throughout the rest of your home. We’ll discuss the most prevalent signs of foundation damage in the area below.
Cracks in your concrete are clear signs of some type of issue. The severity of the problem can be determined by the location, orientation, and size of the gap.
Thin cracks in your concrete slab are common, typically forming during the natural settling and curing of your foundation. Provided they remain thin and one side doesn’t begin to rise above the other, they generally don’t require structural repair and can simply be sealed to avoid water getting through them.
Similarly, gaps that are less than ⅛” wide that run vertically on your crawlspace or basement walls most often form during the settling process. These can be sealed by a concrete repair specialist as well. If they grow wider than ⅛”, they may require an epoxy injection or polyurethane application to prevent further movement.
Cracks in your concrete block wall that form in a step pattern result from differential settling when a section of your foundation loses support from underneath, separates from your house, and sinks into the earth.
These are common in Lexington if you experience karst or erosion under or around your home. They typically indicate structural damage and should be repaired by a professional immediately.
Cracks running horizontally along your concrete walls are caused by hydrostatic pressure from the soil outside. This stress is more of an issue with expansive clay soils, but the heavy rainfall and potential for voids against your foundation where water can pool can cause inward pressure as well.
Horizontal cracks are usually preceded by bowing walls, and both symptoms are signs of structural damage.
Water intrusion is a prevalent problem in Lexington, as soil erosion, excessive rainfall, and damage from acidic soil can all contribute to the problem.
Signs of water problems under your home include liquid water trickling in through cracks in your foundation, puddles or wet spots forming on your walls or slab, moist or heavy air in the space under your home, musty odors, visible mold growth or mildew smells, and pest infestations.
You may also notice efflorescence, which is a deposit of salt and minerals on your concrete walls after water vapor seeps in and evaporates. Efflorescence sometimes appears fuzzy and can be mistaken for white mold, but it will crumble or flake when you touch it. It can also be differentiated from mold by its formation, as it typically forms in the shape of a water stain rather than in clusters.
The acidic soil in Lexington can severely weaken your concrete over time. It regularly crumbles or chips off on its own, and you may be able to pull pieces off of the wall with just your fingers in extreme cases.
Acidic soil can also leave large gouges in the concrete.
This type of concrete weakening begins outside and works its way into your interior foundation walls, so even seemingly insignificant crumbling or chipping can indicate a severe issue.
Your living space and under-home area share air via the stack effect. As such, poor indoor air quality can often be used to indicate foundation damage.
If you have a water or moisture problem in your basement or crawlspace, the humid air can seep into your upper floors. Humidity makes temperatures feel more extreme, so your home feeling uncomfortably hot or cold in the summer or winter can indicate water intrusion through your foundation.
Similarly, mold spores in the air can move into your living space and bring about symptoms in you or your family members. Mold can cause allergic reactions, including respiratory distress, itchy eyes, and sneezing. Unexplained symptoms like this could indicate mold growth under your home, which points to a water or moisture issue.
How to Find Signs of Foundation Damage In Lexington, Kentucky?
Even in areas that are prone to foundation issues like Lexington, severe damages rarely occur in a single instance. Instead, they develop over time, gradually worsening in response to the stress of your home’s weight and additional ground movement. As such, one of the most effective ways to limit foundation damage and resulting repair costs is to catch problems early.
Below are some tips for identifying problems with your foundation as quickly as possible.
Foundations are out of sight and out of mind for many property owners, but neglect of your home’s structure can allow issues to worsen without intervention. As such, carrying out a dedicated inspection of your foundation once every few months is an excellent way to find signs of damage.
Begin by checking the exterior portion of your concrete, whether you have a slab foundation or a basement or crawlspace. Look for cracks, crumbling, and signs of sinking or unlevel concrete.
Continue your inspection under your home if you have access to space. Look carefully for cracking, chips in the concrete surface, and unlevel flooring. Make sure to keep an eye out for signs of water intrusion, including puddles or wet spots on your concrete, damp air, musty smells, mold growth, the presence of insects or rodents, and efflorescence.
Your upper levels depend on your foundation for structure and adequate support, so continue your inspection in your living space once you’re done under your house. Look for signs of foundation instability, including bowed sheetrock, cracks in the drywall around windows, doors, and room corners, nails bulging out of your walls, or countertops and cabinets separating from the walls behind them.
The floor joists above your foundation can become warped or unlevel in response to foundation sinking, so inspect your floors for buckling, bowing, or other damage.
Lastly, check the doors and windows throughout your home, as they can become challenging to open or close if your framing shifts above a moving foundation.
Finish your quarterly inspection in your yard. Look for sinking sections of your lawn, which can indicate karst or underground soil erosion, both of which can also present problems for your structure. Pay particular attention to the earth immediately surrounding your concrete, as sinking or dipping there can suggest that water is pooling against your foundation below the surface.
Cost of Basement Foundation Repair In Lexington, Kentucky?
Most homeowners in northern Kentucky pay approximately $4,500 for foundation repair, but the price ranges from just $250 up to $15,000 or more. We’ll break down average pricing for the most prevalent types of foundation damage in Lexington below.
Cracks in your concrete that don’t indicate structural damage – such as thin floor cracks or vertically-oriented wall cracks – can often be sealed to prevent water from entering your crawlspace or basement. Most foundation repair companies in Lexington charge between $250 and $800 for this service.
Sinking sections of your foundation, caused by karst or soil erosion in Kentucky, can leave you with unlevel floor cracks or step-shaped cracking on your concrete walls. Most local contractors use underpinning to provide stabilization and support from underneath.
Helical piers are often the best option for Lexington homes, as steel piers drilled down to bedrock could lose support if karst occurs. Helical piers cost around $3,000 each, so the total cost typically ranges from around $6,000 to $15,000, depending on how large of a foundation section has settled.
In some cases, concrete repair specialists can use mud jacking or slab jacking to correct minor sinking problems. This process averages around $2,500, but it’s generally less permanent of a solution than underpinning, so it provides less peace of mind.
Structural engineers can correct horizontal wall cracks or inward bowing of your concrete block walls by using earth anchors, also referred to as tie-backs. These cost around $1,000 each, and they pull your wall back into its vertical position and resist additional pressure from the soil and water outside.
One of Lexington’s more common foundation repair solutions is the installation of a basement waterproofing system, as several factors in the area combine to make water intrusion prevalent.
These systems cost about $5,500 on average, and they can consist of many different methods of redirecting or removing water. Options include vapor barriers, crawlspace encapsulation, sump pumps, exterior drainage systems, floor drains, and dehumidifiers.
