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
Winston-Salem is an increasingly popular place to live in the North Carolina triad, with its booming downtown area, a mix of suburban and urban living, and ties to history and well-developed culture. However, homeownership in the city isn’t without its problems, and foundations in the area are at significant risk of damage due to the climate and soil conditions.
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 Winston-Salem. Our pros have years of experience and are familiar with the nuances of Winston-Salem 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 explain the many factors that contribute to foundation problems in the Winston-Salem area, some signs your home may be suffering from damages, and how to identify issues early to mitigate property damage. We’ll also offer some average pricing for 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: 05/28/2023
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Description: We need an quote for our foundation to be repaired. The back corner of our house is bulging out and is cracked.
Date of Request: 05/27/2023
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Description: Replace 12 existing jacks in my crawl space with permanent concrete pillars. Replace moisture barrier. I have over 100 concrete blocks,some footings are already poured.
Date of Request: 05/27/2023
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Description: We have an older home with brick walls in the basement that are bowing in. We would like a quote to stabilize them.
Date of Request: 05/24/2023
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Description: I have some holes around the vents on the foundation of my house. Can I get a free estimate?
Date of Request: 05/21/2023
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Description: I think my home's foundation (slab) may be cracked. I'd like someone to look at the house and give me advice.
Date of Request: 05/19/2023
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Description: Floor sagging about an inch under load bearing wall that separates the kitchen and master bedroom. House built Sept 2016.
Does Foundation Movement Affect Winston-Salem, North Carolina?
Foundation movement is a significant and widespread problem in northern North Carolina. Homeowners in Winston-Salem, Kernersville, Durham, Lexington, Raleigh, Thomasville, High Point, and the surrounding areas experience foundation damage at an alarming rate.
What Causes Foundation Problems In Winston-Salem, North Carolina?
There are numerous underlying causes of foundation damage in the city, most relating to soil and weather conditions. We’ll discuss each of these in detail below.
Expansive soil is one of the leading issues causing foundation damage throughout the United States. While Forsyth County isn’t situated in the exotic soils of the Carolina terrane or Triassic basin, it does have a high concentration of clay. The ground in Winston-Salem is mostly comprised of Cecil clay loam, which is characterized by a high absorption rate, sub-optimal drainage, and expansion when it gets wet. It creates three significant issues for foundations in the area.
Most significantly, the clay soil in the city increases in volume as it gets wet. As the ground expands, it places excess pressure on your concrete slab and foundation walls, often causing inward movement and cracking.
The soil also loses volume when it dries, so it can shrink away from the concrete as moisture levels decrease. This process can create voids around and under your foundation, leaving sections of it without the support it needs to hold up your house. The concrete cracks and sinks into the earth as a result. If this soil movement happens at different rates across your property, your home will suffer from differential settling, which can quickly cause structural issues.
Lastly, clay readily absorbs and holds moisture, which means it will keep water pressing against your concrete for more extended periods than a silty or sandy soil. Longer exposure times to moisture often lead to damaging water intrusion and water vapor making its way into your under-home space.
To make the problems with expansive soil worse, property owners in Winston-Salem experience above-average rainfall and regular periods of drought, both of which contribute to excessive hydrostatic pressure and differential settling.
The city experiences around 45 inches of annual rainfall, approximately 50% more than the national average. Excessive runoff soaks into the clay soil and causes expansion, and it also contributes to water intrusion and moisture issues in basements and crawlspaces. A large amount of runoff from rainfall in the area is an issue itself, but it’s made worse by the higher elevations to the east of the city in the Northern Mountain region.
Excessive runoff is dangerous for foundations, but a lack of rainfall is equally hazardous. Winston-Salem is prone to drought, which leaves soil dry and causes it to shrink away from the concrete under your home. Dry clay soil can leave your foundation without the support it needs to provide structure to your home, often leading to differential settling and foundation sinking.
The dirt in Winston-Salem is known to be acidic, which creates further complications for home foundations. Acids in the soil can erode concrete over time, leaving foundation walls or slabs weakened and potentially creating structural instability. After years of exposure, solid concrete walls can crumble or even collapse under your structure’s weight or the hydrostatic pressure from the surrounding soil.
Unlike many other parts of the United States, few North Carolina homes have full basements. Instead, a popular choice during construction is a partial basement or cellar, which decreases installation costs while providing the convenience of access to your under-home space.
These types of foundations mean sections of your home will be supported by different levels of soil. The clay in the ground swells and shrinks in response to moisture changes, which can vary significantly at different depths. As such, this common construction choice leaves homes in Winston-Salem at elevated risk of differential settling.
Lastly, Winston-Salem experiences relatively high humidity throughout the entire year, averaging in the high 60% range in the winter and above 75% in the summer months. Humid air is an issue for all parts of your home, but basements and crawlspaces are at particular risk of moisture build-up, given their location underground.
Humid air outside can make its way into your under-home area, where moisture gets trapped. Damp air under your home can lead to mold growth, pest infestation, uncomfortable or contaminated air in your living space, and damage to construction materials under your home.
What Are The Signs of Basement Foundation Damage In Winston-Salem, North Carolina?
The underlying causes of foundation damage we’ve discussed above can bring about various symptoms in your foundation and under-home area. We’ll explain each of these below and include some information about the type of damage each creates.
Foundation cracks are common in most homes, and while some are more or less harmless in Winston-Salem, others can signify severe structural damage.
Thin cracks form in most foundations during the natural settling of the concrete. They appear on the slab or crawlspace or basement walls in a vertical orientation. These cracks are mostly harmless, don’t indicate structural damage, and can often just be sealed to stop water from seeping into your home.
Foundation wall cracks that run horizontally are far more severe, as they indicate dangerous hydrostatic pressure from the ground around your home. The expansive soil in Winston-Salem and above-average rainfall make horizontal cracking prevalent in the area. This type of damage is usually structural in nature and should be addressed by a foundation repair company immediately.
Step-shaped cracks on your concrete block wall occur because of differential settling when portions of your foundation lose support from underneath and sink into the earth until they meet soil again. This issue typically requires structural repair, and it’s widespread in Winston-Salem because of the expansive soil and risk of drought.
The acidic soil in Winston-Salem can deteriorate your concrete over time. Signs of weakening include crumbling or flaking sections of foundation and large gouges on the exterior walls. You may also notice that you can pry pieces of the concrete off of your crawlspace or basement walls with your fingers.
Lastly, water or moisture under your home is a sign of foundation problems and often leads to additional property damage if left untreated.
The absorbent clay soil in Winston-Salem gives liquid water a long time to seep through cracks in your concrete. You may notice water pooling on the floor under your house, wet spots or water stains on the concrete, and damp air in the area.
Water vapor can make its way in through undamaged, porous concrete, leading to humid air under your home, musty odors, mold growth, pest infestation, and efflorescence, which is an accumulation of minerals left behind on the interior basement walls.
You may also notice uncomfortably cold or warm air inside your home in the winter or summer, and you may have unexplained allergy symptoms if mold spores move up into your living space from your crawlspace or basement.
How to Find Signs of Foundation Damage In Winston-Salem, North Carolina?
Identifying signs of foundation damage as quickly as possible is one of the best ways to keep property damage and foundation repair costs to a minimum. Below, we’ll share some tips on how to monitor your foundation efficiently so that you can carry out necessary repairs before the problem worsens.
Foundation problems become more severe over time, so inspecting your foundation regularly will increase the likelihood of catching signs of damage early. We recommend you check your foundation for damage about once every three or four months.
Look for cracks and crumbling on the outside of your foundation as well as the interior walls. Keep a log of crack locations, widths, and lengths for comparison. Report wide or potentially dangerous cracks to a concrete repair contractor, and monitor gaps for growth between inspections.
While you’re in your crawlspace or basement, look for the common signs of water intrusion, including water pooling in the area, humid air, musty odors, mold growth on the foundation walls or other construction material, or efflorescence on the concrete.
Insects and rodents can also be a sign of water intrusion, so keep an eye out for signs of termite damage, carpenter ants, or other pest infestations under your home.
Next, move your inspection inside your house to look for symptoms of foundation damage. These include cracked drywall around wall openings or where walls meet the ceiling, stuck doors or windows, bowing or buckling flooring, and nail heads popping out of the sheetrock. You may also notice counters or cabinets separating from the walls in kitchens and bathrooms, usually on the exterior walls of your house.
Lastly, inspect the outside of your house for symptoms of foundation damage. A leaning chimney or cracks in your siding are tell-tale signs that your foundation has shifted in response to soil movement and differential settling, both of which are common in Winston-Salem.
The rafters in your home can get warped or bowed if your foundation loses its structural integrity, so look for sagging or wavy roofing as well.
Check for gaps between the ground and your foundation, as well as cracked soil throughout your yard, especially during dry periods. These indicate that you have a problem with expansive soil drying and shrinking when water evaporates from the ground.
Following heavy rainfall, look for puddles forming on your lawn, which can indicate you have poor drainage on your property that can contribute to foundation damage and water intrusion.
Cost of Basement Foundation Repair In Winston-Salem, North Carolina?
Foundation repair services in Winston-Salem cost around $5,000, on average. The total price to repair your foundation damage can range from about $300 up to $20,000 or more. We’ll include some specific pricing for typical foundation repairs in the area below.
If a foundation repair company determines that a foundation crack doesn’t indicate structural damage, they can opt to seal it to keep your basement or crawlspace dry. Sealing usually costs between $300 and $750, depending on the size of the gap and ease of access.
Horizontal wall cracks and bowing foundation walls typically require earth anchors for stabilization, which cost approximately $1,000 each. On average, most inward wall movement requires two to five anchors, totaling $2,000 to $5,000.
Stair-step cracks and unlevel or wide floor cracks form in response to differential settling. Concrete repair specialists regularly use a process called underpinning to support your sinking foundation from underneath.
The piers used in underpinning cost around $1,000 for steel options and $3,000 for helical pilings, so the total cost for this basement or crawlspace repair lands between $3,000 and $20,000. The final price depends on how many piers you need, the type of push piers used, and how large and easily accessible your foundation is.
If the acidic soil in Winston-Salem has compromised your foundation’s integrity, you may need reinforcement or total foundation replacement, depending on the extent of the weakening. Cosmetic repairs can cost around $500, reinforcement averages around $5,000, and complete replacement can easily top $20,000, including the cost of lifting your home, excavation, and new concrete pouring.
Most foundation repair companies address ongoing water intrusion with a full basement waterproofing system. The system commonly includes various measures, including exterior drainage systems, sump pumps, vapor barriers, gutters, downspouts, crawlspace encapsulation, and more.
Most basement systems in Winston-Salem total around $5,500, while less comprehensive options can be as low as $2,500.
