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
Ooltewah, Tennessee provides a myriad of benefits to residents, including moderate year-round temperatures, proximity to nature, a close-knit suburban community, and easy access to larger cities like Chattanooga. Unfortunately, homeownership also comes with a significant risk of foundation issues that plague homes throughout the city and the surrounding area.
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 Ooltewah. Our pros have years of experience and are familiar with the nuances of Ooltewah 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 discuss the underlying causes of foundation damage in Ooltewah and the warning signs they often elicit in homes. We’ll also include some tips for monitoring your property for damages and the average pricing for specific foundation repair services that are commonly required 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: 10/20/2021
Location: Ooltewah, TN
Description: I have some walls cracking and a stairs step crack in the outside brick. This will be my second estimate
Date of Request: 10/19/2021
Location: Ooltewah, TN
Description: Our basement is mostly all block and not sealed or weather proof. It is open to the dirt ground under our house on one side, so we would like to possibly have a wall built to seal and separate that crawl space from the rest of the block basement area. Our main goal is to just have a dry storage space. We would like to have someone come out to give us some options and prices for the possibilities to make our space more usable. We are open to doing a Zoom/FaceTime call as well if someone cannot come out for a consult due to Covid.
Date of Request: 10/19/2021
Location: Ooltewah, TN
Description: Our foundation has a large crack in the garage. We need someone to take a look and let us know our options to fix it.
Date of Request: 10/16/2021
Location: Ooltewah, TN
Description: We have some wood flooring cracks and unevenness appearing inside our home and want to know the cause and price for fixing. Must have someone come after 4:30 pm any afternoon.
Date of Request: 10/13/2021
Location: Ooltewah, TN
Description: water seeping into basement from corner of slab. Would like someone to come out this week.
Date of Request: 10/11/2021
Location: Ooltewah, TN
Description: estimate on why several of my cabinets are unlined, two kitchen tiles are cracked, two tiles in shower are cracked, some grout in bathroom shower and tub has separated and cracked. Hardwood and carpeted floors squeek.
Does Foundation Movement Affect Ooltewah, Tennessee?
Foundation movement in response to ground instability is a severe and prevalent issue in Eastern Tennessee. Property owners in Ooltewah, Soddy-Daisy, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Cleveland, and other cities in the vicinity frequently deal with costly foundation damage.
What Causes Foundation Problems In Ooltewah, Tennessee?
Foundation problems are so widespread in the Ooltewah area because of several factors. We’ll explain each of these in-depth below and include some information on the impact they have on the concrete under your home.
Tennessee’s soil is far from uniform, but much of the dirt just west of White Oak Mountain is believed to have formed from the erosion of the limestone underlying the area. The resulting particles in the earth are predominantly clay, making the soil expansive. Expansive soil has three primary qualities that make it dangerous to your home’s foundation.
The first problematic quality is the soil’s tendency to expand when it gets wet. Runoff from rainfall quickly soaks into the gaps between the tiny clay particles, causing the ground to swell. The resulting hydrostatic pressure exerted on your crawlspace or basement walls and slab can crack the concrete.
The cracks not only increase the likelihood of leaking but also tend to compromise your foundation’s structural integrity.
Expansive soil is also a significant problem for your foundation when it dries. During periods of minimal or no precipitation, the ground’s moisture content can dip, and the added volume from the water is lost.
The drying process seldom occurs uniformly around your home, promoting differential settling. The uneven shrinking of the ground can leave areas of your home unsupported. These sections can crack off of your home and leave you with extensive structural damage.
The absorbent quality of the expansive clay soil in Ooltewah is also an issue for your foundation. It soaks up water more readily than typical soil, and it also stays saturated for a longer time.
As such, your foundation is exposed to moisture continually during periods of frequent or heavy rainfall, increasing the risk of water intrusion and moisture build-up beneath your structure.
The expansive soil in Ooltewah is most dangerous when it’s saturated, and unfortunately, the ground in the city remains wet for long periods.
The Chattanooga area receives over 52 inches of rain annually, which is more than 150% of the national average. Residents can expect an average of more than two days of significant rain each week throughout the entire year.
The excessive runoff resulting from the heavy and frequent precipitation increases the risk of flooding and keeps the ground wet almost continuously. As such, the soil remains at a high volume and places constant hydrostatic pressure on your foundation.
The abundance of moisture that the soil retains also promotes water intrusion and moisture accumulation under your home.
The frost line in Tennessee is around a foot below the surface, meaning that the moisture in the soil freezes to a depth of approximately 12 inches in the winter.
In areas with a shallow frost line, slab foundations can be prone to frost heave if the water below your home freezes and exerts upward pressure on the concrete. Basements and crawlspaces will be better protected from freezing soil moisture, but the foundation walls can still crack from the inward stress of expanding earth.
Frost heave can create structural damage over time and may require expensive stabilization or foundation replacement if the issue is left untreated.
Finally, the limestone bedrock in Ooltewah that is responsible for the expansive soil also presents another issue referred to as karst. Limestone dissolves when exposed to water, so runoff and groundwater in Tennessee can form underground voids over time.
The soil above can collapse into the voids if they grow to a substantial size, and the downward movement above can create sinkholes and ground instability beneath your home.
Sinkholes and unstable earth both contribute to differential settling and can lead to structural damage over time. Repairs for the resulting problems are often significant and costly.
What Are The Signs of Basement Foundation Damage In Ooltewah, Tennessee?
Foundation damage can present itself in various ways, depending on the underlying cause. We’ll go over the most common symptoms of an under-home problem below and include the issue that’s likely to cause each.
Most homeowners find cracks developing on their foundations. Some fissures form during the natural settlement of the concrete after new construction, while others appear as a result of severe structural issues.
We’ll break down the common foundation cracks below to give you a better idea of what your foundation crack likely indicates.
The least severe type is a settling crack, which forms as the concrete adjusts above the earth after it’s poured.
Non-structural cracks may appear on your concrete block wall, and they often run in a direction perpendicular to the floor.
You should have a foundation repair company seal any vertical wall cracks that are less than ⅛” wide, as this will help maintain a dry basement or crawlspace. Broader vertical wall cracks may need additional repairs to prevent further widening.
Hairline cracks in your concrete slab or basement floor are also generally from normal foundation settling.
They remain level from side to side and typically stop growing within a few years after your home is built. It’s a good idea to have a foundation contractor seal these as well to prevent water from coming in through them.
Cracks on your crawlspace or basement floor that run parallel to the ground are generally not from settling.
Instead, they develop when the hydrostatic pressure from the soil becomes too intense for your foundation to resist. The stress forces your wall inward until it cracks under the pressure.
Horizontal wall cracks require extensive stabilization to restore your foundation’s structural integrity.
Wall cracks that develop in the shape of stair steps generally indicate differential settling beneath your house.
They suggest structural damage that necessitates costly stabilization, and they should be repaired quickly, as they can result in foundation failure if left unrepaired.
Differential settling and frost heave can also result in cracks in your slab foundation or in your crawlspace or basement floor.
You can often differentiate between settling and structural cracks in the slab based on how wide they are and if they’re level across the gap.
Slab or basement floor cracks that are wider than ⅛” or have one side rising above the other suggest that your foundation is suffering from hazardous soil movement below.
The expansive soil and excessive precipitation in Ooltewah make water problems prevalent in the area. The symptoms you notice will often depend on whether liquid water or water vapor is entering your home.
Liquid water generally seeps through foundation cracks, so you may notice leaking around wall or floor cracks during rainfall. You might also see wet spots on the cement following precipitation, standing water, puddles on the floor, or other water damage.
Water can seep through pores in solid concrete as well and evaporate into the air beneath your house.
Increased humidity in your crawlspace or basement, efflorescence on the walls, mold growth, and musty odors in the area are all symptoms of moisture build-up. Insects and rodents are also naturally attracted to moisture, so pest infestations can indicate an issue with water vapor as well.
Lastly, the air under your home can seep upstairs, increasing the humidity in your home or bringing mold spores to your living space.
The resulting uncomfortable temperatures, high utility bills, and indoor allergy symptoms are all signs of a water or moisture problem.
How to Find Signs of Foundation Damage In Ooltewah, Tennessee?
Identifying foundation damage early and repairing it before it develops into severe structural damage can save you thousands of dollars in home improvement and stabilization costs.
Below, we’ll offer a home inspection you can carry out quarterly to monitor your home for symptoms of developing foundation problems.
Most foundation problems will first be evident on the concrete beneath your structure before they exhibit symptoms elsewhere. Outside your house, look for cracks and sinking sections of concrete on the visible portion of the foundation.
If you have a crawlspace or basement, enter the area and check for cracks there as well. We suggest maintaining an ongoing report of crack locations and measurements so that you can identify and repair worsening conditions quickly.
You should also be on the lookout for mold growth, moldy smells, efflorescence, standing or puddling water, visible leaking, moist air, insect or rodent infestation, and any other indications of water damage under your house.
The interior of your house will often show signs of foundation damage if movement or water intrusion occurs.
Foundation shifting or sinking can affect your wall framing and floor joists, so walk through your house and look for cracks in the sheetrock, doors or windows that get stuck and won’t close or open easily, nails pushing through the drywall, cabinets pulling away from the wall, and sloping or uneven floors.
We recommend checking your current and past heating and cooling bills for increases that you may have missed from year to year and asking anyone living in your home if they have experienced allergic reactions indoors.
Complete your inspection outside, where you’ll examine your home’s exterior and your landscaping. First, look for cracks in your siding or chimney and sagging or uneven roofing that may result from foundation movement.
Check your yard for unevenness, dips, or pots that could result from uneven settlement of the soil. During and following rainfall, be on the lookout for puddles forming on the surface of your lawn or soggy areas that can suggest you have clay-rich soil and poor drainage, both of which could lead to foundation damage.
Finally, look for leaning retaining walls or raised garden bed walls and cracked or lifted sections of patio or concrete driveway. These are all additional symptoms of highly expansive soil.
Cost of Basement Foundation Repair In Ooltewah, Tennessee?
Homeowners in Ooltewah pay an average of $5,500 for foundation repair, but costs can range from a few hundred dollars to over $20,000, depending on the underlying problem and how severe it is.
Below, we’ll include some average costs for specific foundation repair services common in Eastern Tennessee.
Foundation cracks that aren’t structural typically require the most affordable foundation solution. General contractors in Ooltewah charge between $250 and $750 for this type of crack repair.
Horizontal cracks resulting from mounting hydrostatic pressure from expansive soil require stabilization, usually in the form of earth anchors.
These anchors include tensioning rods that pull your wall back to its original position and help maintain stability even when the surrounding soil swells during rainfall. This basement or crawl space repair generally falls between $3,000 and $5,000.
You may also need a French drain or footing drain to prevent future issues with excess pressure on your concrete. You can expect to add around $2,000 to the total repair cost if your property would benefit from an exterior drainage system.
A concrete leveling technique called underpinning is the best solution for correcting the adverse effects of differential settling.
A foundation repair specialist will raise your foundation and place push piers below to offer additional support. These pilings cost between $1,000 and $3,000, and most homes need five to ten supports.
Your total for this crawlspace or basement repair can range from $5,000 to over $20,000, depending on the number of pilings you need, whether your property would benefit more from steel piers or more costly helical piers, and whether the work includes a lifetime warranty.
The cost for sinkhole repair can fall anywhere between $3,000 and $100,000, depending on the size and accessibility.
Most sinkhole remediation in Tennessee is relatively minimal, and most foundation repair contractors in the Ooltewah service area charge an average of $12,000 for this service.
A basement waterproofing system is the best solution for leaking foundations. The setup can include various waterproofing solutions, including an exterior drainage system, a sump pump system, dehumidifiers, vapor barriers, crawlspace encapsulation, floor drains, drain tiles, gutter systems, and more.
Waterproofing contractors typically charge between $2,000 and $10,000 for installation. The excessive rainfall in Ooltewah generally requires reasonably comprehensive basement systems, making the average cost around $5,500.
If your water issues have caused mold growth, you may need to add an additional $2,500 to $4,500 for mold remediation before waterproofing can be safely completed.
