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
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Worry Free Warranties On All Services
Chesapeake, Virginia provides a beautiful blend of a close-knit, populated community and the serenity of nature in the form of forests, waterways, and proximity to the beach.
However, living in the Tidewater Region comes with some downsides as well. The climate and geology of the region leave home foundations at high risk of damage and necessary repairs.
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 Chesapeake. Our pros have years of experience and are familiar with the nuances of Chesapeake 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 of foundation problems in Chesapeake, the most common symptoms of these issues, and how you can monitor your home effectively to limit damage and keep repair costs to a minimum.
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: Chesapeake, VA
Description: I am looking for a quote for a walkout basement (26x32) up on Bent Mountain. Poured concrete 8'. One wall 32' and two walls at 26' with 12' corners
Date of Request: 05/27/2023
Location: Chesapeake, VA
Description: Seeing several cracks in the walls/door jams, and feeling movement walking across floors.
Date of Request: 05/27/2023
Location: Chesapeake, VA
Description: I have a crack in the wall in the master bedroom. It's been there awhile, but now the door is stickling. I need to know if I have a foundation problem.
Date of Request: 05/24/2023
Location: Chesapeake, VA
Description: we have an older home built in 1956. There is a place in the middle of the home that has settled and the wall has fine cracks.
Date of Request: 05/21/2023
Location: Chesapeake, VA
Description: Raise house 3 to 4 foot to get above flood plane house now has less than 24 inch crawl ,house hase moisture damage .would like to know what is evolved and if it's affordable
Date of Request: 05/19/2023
Location: Chesapeake, VA
Description: A beam on the perimeter of the crawl space needs to be jacked up and there are several sections of the house where the floor flexes when you walk over it.
Does Foundation Movement Affect Chesapeake, Virginia?
Unfortunately, foundation movement is prevalent in the area due to the location near the coast and the city’s soil quality. Homeowners in Chesapeake, Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Williamsburg, Yorktown, and many other nearby towns are prone to soil movement and the resulting foundation damage.
What Causes Foundation Problems In Chesapeake, Virginia?
There are a few factors at play in eastern Virginia that contribute to foundation issues. We’ll discuss these in-depth below.
Chesapeake is located about 10 miles in from the coast of Virginia, which means it’s situated at a low elevation, about 30 feet above sea level. Areas like this at a minimal height above sea level are prone to water issues.
FEMA has designated much of the city as an AE flood zone, which means it’s a moderate risk of flooding due to the many waterways in the area. Surprisingly, flooding in Chesapeake is more common due to rains moving downhill from higher elevations to the west.
The exposure to frequent runoff and the potential for flooding in the city creates two problems for home foundations.
First, it tends to increase hydrostatic pressure of the soil around your home, which puts undue stress on your home’s foundation walls. This pressure can eventually lead to cracking, the loss of structural integrity, and even collapse.
Second, the runoff in the area means the soil remains wet for long periods. Moisture held against your concrete foundation will typically find its way into your home, either through foundation cracks or through the pores in the building material.
Liquid water and water vapor present a significant issue for Chesapeake homeowners and can cause property damage and necessitate costly repairs.
To make water issues worse, Virginia’s soil tends to hold onto moisture more readily than typical dirt. Pamunkey soil, which is Virginia’s state soil, is very high in clay. Soil with a high clay content absorbs more water, holds it longer, and expands as it gets wet. The expansive soil in Virginia creates multiple foundation issues.
First, Pamunkey soil can expand to around 10% of its dry volume when it gets wet. When the ground grows in volume, it places immense pressure on your foundation walls, sometimes causing structural damage.
Second, the soil holds moisture against your concrete, which we mentioned above creates a severe problem for water intrusion and moisture issues.
Lastly, expansive soil loses volume when it dries. As the water in the ground evaporates, the soil around your foundation shrinks. Not only does the constant expanding and contracting of the earth cause damage to your rigid foundation, but the shrinking process can leave portions of your concrete without the support it needs to hold up your home.
As a result, it often cracks off of your home and settles further into the earth than the rest of your foundation. This process is called differential settling, and it can rapidly cause massive structural damage.
The low elevation of Chesapeake also means that the area has a high water table, so the groundwater isn’t nearly as deep as it is in more elevated areas. The high water table can leave groundwater wicking up toward your foundation and creating additional issues with expansive soil.
However, a more dangerous result of being in an area with a high water table is frost heave. Frost heave is the upward movement of soil as water in the ground freezes. Although the temperatures in Virginia don’t often dip below freezing, even a few days of cold temperatures can lead to foundation damage from soil movement.
Lastly, cities near the coast of Virginia experience more hurricane and tropical storm activity than most parts of the country. These storms rarely hit land in Virginia, but they regularly bring heavy rainfall to the area, including Chesapeake.
A high amount of precipitation is inherently detrimental to foundations, as it increases the chance of water intrusion and problems with moisture under the home. However, heavy rainfall is particularly hazardous to Chesapeake foundations because it makes existing problems with expansive soil, flooding, and a high water table even worse.
What Are The Signs of Basement Foundation Damage In Chesapeake, Virginia?
There are several different symptoms of foundation damage you may notice in your Chesapeake home. We’ll break these down below and discuss the most likely underlying cause of each.
Foundation cracks come in several varieties, each with a varying degree of damage and cost of repair.
Hairline cracks commonly form in the floor in your crawlspace or basement in response to natural concrete settling, so they’re prevalent in new construction and older homes alike. Unless they continue to grow, widen to more than ⅛”, or the two sides of the gap become unlevel, they should simply be sealed to prevent water from getting through.
Vertical cracks on your foundation wall form during settling as well. A foundation contractor should seal them to prevent water problems, but they don’t indicate structural damage.
Horizontal cracks in your foundation wall form in response to hydrostatic pressure. This is a common type of foundation damage in Chesapeake homes because of the expansive soil, low elevation, and flooding risk. These gaps suggest structural problems and should be addressed by a foundation repair company immediately.
Stair-step cracks form in a step pattern on concrete block walls, and they often indicate you have a problem with differential settling. Homes in Chesapeake are at high risk for this type of damage due to expansive soils shrinking away from the concrete and leaving them without support from underneath. Frost heave can contribute to the formation of stair-step cracks as well.
These gaps usually require structural repairs that should be carried out by a foundation repair contractor as soon as possible.
The hydrostatic pressure of the expansive soil in Virginia regularly puts undue stress on your foundation walls during rainfall or flooding. While concrete is rigid, it can flex to a certain degree before cracking under the ground’s pressure.
A precursor to a horizontal foundation crack is often inward bulging of your crawlspace or basement walls. This type of foundation movement may not signify a loss of structural integrity, but severe damage can occur if the issue is left to worsen.
Unlevel flooring is another sign of foundation damage commonly seen in Chesapeake homes. It can occur under your home or in your living space.
Unlevel floors below your home are caused by frost heave and expansive soil in the area, which can create dangerous upward soil movement followed by differential settling. The result is sometimes cracking of the slab in your basement or crawlspace, where one side of the gap is no longer level with the other.
These same issues, as well as hydrostatic pressure on your foundation walls, can warp or shift floor joists beneath your home’s first and second floors. You may notice buckling, wavy, or unlevel flooring throughout your home as a result of foundation damage.
Given the regional factors we discussed above, Chesapeake basements and crawlspaces are at high risk for water intrusion. Not only does the expansive soil increase the chance of water problems, but the frequent tropical storms, hurricanes, flooding, and high water table all contribute to water issues.
As such, a prevalent sign of foundation problems in the city is a damp or wet basement. You may find pooling water below your home, damp air, musty odors, mold growth, or efflorescence, which is an accumulation of minerals left on your foundation walls after intruding water evaporates.
Lastly, the widespread basement water problems in eastern Virginia can have an effect on your upper floors, so poor indoor air quality can indicate you have a water intrusion issue in your basement or crawlspace.
Moisture and mold spores below your home can move up into your living space in a process called the stack effect. This leads to uncomfortably hot or cold air in the summer or winter, respectively, and can cause allergic reactions, such as congestion, coughing, and itchy eyes.
How to Find Signs of Foundation Damage In Chesapeake, Virginia?
Foundation problems unavoidably get worse over time if they aren’t treated appropriately, so one of the best ways to limit the damage they cause to your home is to repair them quickly after they begin to form. Below are some tips for identifying foundation problems early and minimizing the repairs needed to fix them.
Routine foundation inspections are an excellent way to spot potentially dangerous changes under your home. Begin outside, and check your home’s concrete base for cracks, crumbling, and signs of sinking. Pay particular attention to the corners of your home, as this is where most exterior damage will be visible.
If you have a basement or crawl space, head inside to continue your inspection. Look for interior wall cracks first. Call in an expert for stair-step or horizontal cracks, and consider getting thin vertical or floor cracks sealed. We recommend marking each settling crack with the width and length to help monitor expansion over time.
After you inspect your foundation, head to your living space and look for the common signs of Chesapeake foundation damage. Look for bulging walls, nails popping out of your drywall, countertops, and cabinets separating from the wall, and cracks forming in your sheetrock, particularly around the corners of rooms, windows, and doors.
You can also inspect your upper levels for uneven or buckling flooring and multiple doors or windows becoming challenging to open or close. Report your findings to a foundation repair company for a professional inspection and resolution.
Finally, head back outside and inspect the rest of your home’s exterior. Look for wavy or sagging roofing, chimney separation from your home, and problems with the soil around your foundation. Take note of gaps that form between the ground and your concrete, as this can indicate that you have an issue with expansive soil.
Cost of Basement Foundation Repair In Chesapeake, Virginia?
The average cost of foundation repair in Chesapeake is approximately $5,000, but the range of pricing is between $250 and $15,000. We’ll break down average prices by repair solution below, as this will be most helpful to determine what your fix will cost.
Cracks in your concrete foundation that aren’t structural in nature typically cost between $250 and $750, depending on the gap’s width and length.
Most concrete repair specialists use earth anchors to stabilize foundation walls that show lateral movement, whether they are bowing inward or have bulged enough to form a horizontally positioned crack. Earth anchors cost about $1,000 each, so your total cost for this basement or crawlspace repair can range from $1,000 to around $5,000, depending on the severity of the damage.
Differential settling or stair-step cracks caused by the expansive soils in Chesapeake is best remediated with underpinning. The process involves installing supportive push piers under your foundation. Piers cost an average of $1,000 for steel pilings or $3,000 for helical piers. Many homes need up to five piers, so your total cost for installing these pilings ranges from $1,000 to $15,000, depending on how much your foundation has settled.
Structural repairs involving push piers can vary in cost based on the contractor as well. Although typically more expensive, it’s usually best to choose one who offers a warranty on their work and has years of experience behind them. The highest quality home repairs will usually cost closer to the $15,000 estimate.
Many Chesapeake property owners have ongoing issues with basement and crawlspace moisture. Basement waterproofing systems are the best solution used by foundation repair experts to reduce the influx of water or water vapor. These systems can include sump pumps, exterior drainage systems, dehumidifiers, crawlspace encapsulation, vapor barriers, and many other strategies to keep water out.
Basement waterproofing costs around $5,000, on average, but the price can easily rise above $10,000, depending on your property.
