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. | March 27, 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. | March 24, 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. | March 21, 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. | Mar 27, 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. | Mar 24, 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. | Mar 21, 2023
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Homes in Fredericksburg, Virginia are at a high risk of foundation damage due to several problems with the geology and the weather in the city and the surrounding area. Most residents rent, but for those who own, foundation repair costs can be high because of the elevated risk of ground movement and the associated damages.
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 Fredericksburg. Our pros have years of experience and are familiar with the nuances of Fredericksburg 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 specifically why foundation issues are so prevalent in Fredericksburg and how you can identify them to mitigate property damage. We’ll also offer some average pricing for fixing foundation damage typical in the area to give you an idea of what your repair will cost.
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: 03/29/2023
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Description: 1. Jack the center support beam about 1 to 1.5 and re-shim. 2. Remove existing plastic barrier, re-grade soil, and recover with plastic barrier.
Date of Request: 03/28/2023
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Description: I need to excavate my crawlspace and turn it into a basement, and have the footer underpinned in the process.
Date of Request: 03/28/2023
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Description: We keep having leaks in the basement when it rains and there is an opening on the foundation on the outside of the house
Date of Request: 03/25/2023
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Split level home morningside subdivision When you walk out the back, the concrete has settled and cracked. Occasionally floods now when it rains Looking for an estimate
Date of Request: 03/22/2023
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Description: We have a open/unsupported volume under our front sidewalk that needs to be filled. I would like a quote to repair. Thank you.
Date of Request: 03/20/2023
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Description: A little cracked on foundation, when heavy rain for several days, a little water sips through it.
Does Foundation Movement Affect Fredericksburg, Virginia?
Unfortunately, property owners in Northern Virginia experience soil movement and structural damage more frequently than many other parts of the United States. Home foundations in Fredericksburg, Alexandria, Stafford, Manassas, and other nearby cities are in a hotspot for foundation issues.
What Causes Foundation Problems In Fredericksburg, Virginia?
There are quite a few underlying problems for homeowners in the Fredericksburg area. We’ll discuss these in detail below and offer some insight into the damages each can cause.
Many homes in Northern Virginia, including those in Fredericksburg, are built on soil with an abundance of clay. Clay is exceptionally absorbent and grows in volume as it gets wet, sometimes up to 110% of its original volume. This type of dirt is called “expansive soil,” and it creates several problems for home foundations.
Soil expansion places significant stress – called hydrostatic pressure – on your foundation walls and concrete slab. The pressure can cause inward movement of your walls, cracking, and eventually the loss of structural integrity. Hydrostatic pressure is one of the leading causes of foundation damage, and homes in Fredericksburg are at an incredibly high risk of being affected due to the clay in the dirt.
Clay soil also takes longer to dry, which means it holds moisture from runoff against your concrete for extended periods. With these long exposure times and the added pressure from the expanding soil, the water can force its way through foundation cracks and even directly through the pores in undamaged concrete, leading to water damage inside, widening gaps if the water freezes, and moisture problems in your basement or crawlspace.
Additionally, expansive soil loses volume when it dries. If the soil around your home loses too much moisture, it can shrink away from parts of your foundation, leaving them unsupported by the earth. These sections commonly crack without the support they need and sink into the ground, leaving your home with severe structural damage.
As if expansive soil wasn’t detrimental enough, Fredericksburg and the surrounding cities are also afflicted with acid sulfate soils. Acid sulfate soils contain abnormally high concentrations of iron sulfides. These minerals can be highly corrosive under certain conditions, including after excavation or some other movement that exposes them to oxygen, when they’re converted to sulfuric acid.
Sulfuric acid can quickly degrade concrete and other building materials, eventually causing structural damage and sometimes collapse of foundation walls.
Fredericksburg is about 60 miles west of the shoreline, but the city’s average elevation is just over 50 feet above sea level.
The low elevation means that runoff from surrounding towns with a higher elevation naturally makes its way into Fredericksburg, making flooding a problem for homes in the area. Minor floods are somewhat common in the city, and the proximity to the Rappahannock River leaves homes open to significant floods on a less frequent basis.
Flooding of any magnitude can spell disaster for foundations because it regularly leads to water intrusion and differential settling of the earth. The presence of expansive soil compounds the flooding risks for foundations in the area.
Frost heave is the upward movement of soil as the water suspended in it freezes and expands. It can occur in any area, regardless of the clay content, but it’s a particular problem in Fredericksburg because of the presence of clay and the risk of heaving.
Frost heave can force sections of your foundation to lift, eventually leading to cracking, separation from the rest of your home, and a loss of structural stability. The differential settling of the foundation after the ground thaws can create even more disparate earth movement under your foundation, worsening the problem.
Lastly, much of Virginia is prone to tropical storms and hurricanes. Fredericksburg is located inland, so it doesn’t experience conditions quite as severe as the coastal cities. However, the area is subjected to frequent heavy rainfall, and the annual precipitation is nearly 50% higher than the national average.
Runoff can create problems with water intrusion in any home, but the expansive soil, risk of frost heave, and low elevation of Fredericksburg make the risk of water and moisture issues significantly higher.
What Are The Signs of Basement Foundation Damage In Fredericksburg, Virginia?
The underlying problems discussed above can cause various issues under your house and numerous associated symptoms. We’ll discuss the most common signs of foundation damage in Fredericksburg below.
Cracks in your home’s foundation can indicate relatively insignificant concrete movement or severe structural damage, depending on their location and size. It will be most helpful to break down the cracks you may see and what they can signify.
Thin cracks in your crawlspace or basement floor or in your wall running vertically form in response to concrete settling as the structure dries and cures. Provided they are less than ⅛” wide, they shouldn’t be a significant cause for concern. Most homeowners get the cracks sealed to prevent water intrusion but experience no further issue with them.
Foundation wall cracks that run parallel to the ground are much more severe and usually indicate structural damage. They form in response to hydrostatic pressure, so they’re common in Fredericksburg, where expansive soil and heavy rainfall are prevalent. This type of damage should be repaired immediately.
Inward bowing of foundation walls occurs for the same reason and usually happens before a horizontal crack forms.
The expansive soil and frost heave in Fredericksburg leave homes in the area prone to differential settling. Uneven soil movement can cause step-shaped cracks to form in unsupported sections of your foundation, visibly sinking portions of your slab or wide floor cracks that aren’t level from one side to the other.
They typically signify that your structure’s integrity has been compromised, and stabilization is imperative.
The acid sulfate soil in Fredericksburg can rapidly deteriorate your concrete if it’s exposed to oxygen for any reason, including when your home is initially constructed. Homeowners experiencing resulting foundation damage regularly see crumbling sections on the interior of their concrete block walls.
The damage sometimes appears as large gouges in the exterior of the wall or slab. However, these are more challenging to identify, as they occur underground.
Water intrusion is a significant problem in Fredericksburg because of the expansive soil, risk of flooding, and above-average rainfall during tropical storms and hurricanes. As such, signs of water damage and moisture build-up under the home can often be used to identify foundation issues.
You may notice water trickling in through cracks in the crawlspace or basement wall or water pooling on the floor, especially during rainfall. Water vapor can also present issues, and symptoms include moist air under your house, musty odors, and efflorescence, which is a white, powdery build-up of minerals on your concrete.
Humid conditions lend themselves to mold growth as well, so spores growing on your foundation wall or other building materials can indicate water intrusion.
Lastly, insects and rodents are naturally attracted to moist areas, so a pest infestation in your basement or crawlspace can signify problems with water or water vapor getting into your home.
How to Find Signs of Foundation Damage In Fredericksburg, Virginia?
Foundation problems typically worsen if left untreated, so one of the best ways to keep repair costs and property damage to a minimum is to find the problems early and have them repaired. Below are some tips for identifying foundation damage before it becomes severe.
Foundation walls are usually the most neglected portion of a home, as they are out of sight if a basement or crawlspace is unfinished or covered by sheetrock if you have a finished basement. Some foundation repair companies offer free inspections, but carrying out your own three to four times a year is an excellent way to monitor changes and get familiar with your home.
First, check the visible portion of your concrete on the exterior of your home. Look for cracks and crumbling areas, especially around the corners of the foundation. If you have a basement or crawlspace, continue your inspection inside. Look for and record any cracking or crumbling, and use a pencil to mark length and width to monitor changes. Contact a foundation repair company if you notice horizontal or step-shaped cracks.
You should also look for signs of water intrusion or moisture build-up, including puddling or trickling on your walls and floor, damp air, musty smells, and efflorescence. Take note of mold growth or pest infestations as well.
Once you’ve completed your foundation inspection, head inside your home to check for signs of foundation damage. Look for irregularities in your drywall, including cracks around doors and windows, gaps near where the walls or ceiling meet, inward bowing, and nails popping out of the sheetrock.
Your floor joists rely directly on your foundation for a level surface, so structural damage below your home regularly leads to unlevel or buckling flooring in your upper levels.
Take note of any unexplained allergic reactions you or your family members have.
Itchy eyes, sneezing, and difficulty breathing can be symptoms of mold spores that can infiltrate your home from underneath in a process called the stack effect.
Lastly, you can look for signs of damage or potential foundation problems on the exterior of your home. Look for signs of structural damage, which include sagging rooflines, leaning chimneys, or cracks in stucco siding or brick facades.
You can also identify if you’re at risk of foundation damage from expansive soils by inspecting your landscaping. Look for leaning retaining walls, particularly wet areas of your yard or puddling during rainfall, and a gap between the earth and your foundation wall. These can all signify drainage problems, which can be catastrophic for foundation health.
Cost of Basement Foundation Repair In Fredericksburg, Virginia?
Foundation repair services cost Frederickson homeowners approximately $5,000, on average. The cost of home improvement under your house can be as low as $300 and upward of $20,000, depending on the extent of the damage, the type of repair, and whether a warranty is included in the price. We’ll break down the costs of standard services in the area to give you an estimate for what your repair will cost.
Thin vertical wall cracks and floor cracks can often just be sealed with epoxy if a foundation contractor confirms that they don’t signify structural damage. The average cost to seal a gap is around $500, and the price ranges from $300 to $750, depending on the length and width.
Hydrostatic pressure from the soil outside can create inward foundation movement, resulting in bowed walls and eventually horizontally-oriented cracks. Most homeowners in Fredericksburg pay an average of $3,500 to have earth anchors installed, which restore the wall position and resist future movement. This type of basement or crawlspace repair ranges from $1,000 to approximately $5,000.
Sinking portions of your foundation can result in wide, uneven floor cracks or step-shaped wall cracks. Underpinning is often the best solution to restore stability. Most foundation repair specialists in the area charge around $1,000 each for steel piers or $3,000 each for helical piers. The total price can range from $5,000 to $15,000 and sometimes more for larger homes.
Leaky basements and crawlspaces plague the Fredericksburg area, so contractors use various measures to create a basement waterproofing system on afflicted foundations. These systems typically include sump pumps, exterior drainage systems, vapor barriers, crawlspace encapsulation, dehumidifiers, and more. The cost is usually around $5,000 but can fluctuate depending on how severe your problem is.
The type of help you hire can also affect the price and efficacy of the system. Some system constituents can be installed by a cheaper handyman, while others require more costly specialists. The best option for a durable and effective system is to choose a foundation repair specialist with positive testimonials online and years of experience that is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
