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
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Licensed Structural Engineers On Call 24/7
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Worry Free Warranties On All Services
Glen Allen, Virginia provides residents with a dense suburban lifestyle, easy access to Richmond, and moderate, comfortable temperatures for most of the year.
However, the location and weather in the area leave home foundations prone to damage, leaving property owners with structural damage and expensive repairs on a regular basis.
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 Glen Allen. Our pros have years of experience and are familiar with the nuances of Glen Allen 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 specific causes of foundation problems in Glen Allen and the surrounding area, as well as the resulting symptoms you may find in your home. We’ll also offer some tips for identifying damages early to minimize repair costs and the average pricing for the foundation repair services you’re likely to need 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: Richmond, VA
Description: My home is older and I have doors that stick and I can tell home seems not level in places. Just need to have it checked.
Date of Request: 05/31/2023
Location: Richmond, VA
Description: Foundation repair for a recently purchased home. Home settled into ground in back of house and needs addition support under full house I believe. Looking for quotes and assessment. Thank you.
Date of Request: 05/31/2023
Location: Richmond, VA
Description: We have a water leak coming through the foundation at one end of the house running to the other end of the house.
Date of Request: 05/28/2023
Location: Hopewell, VA
Description: Hi I work with a contracting company and a house we're working on has a concrete porch and steps that sunk in when the concrete sidewalk was removed. So ideally we'd like to have the porch and steps lifted back up to where they were. Please get back to me whenever possible. Thank you
Date of Request: 05/25/2023
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Description: Front entrance of my home is aggregate concrete slab; it slopes more than it should, due to ground settling. Guessing it's due to foundation issue. Would like your opinion and estimate to fix. Thx!
Date of Request: 05/23/2023
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Description: The joint between the walls and ceiling in my Kitchen and living room separate in the winter. The gap is there now, I also have pictures of it during the summer without a gap. My house has a crawl space.
Does Foundation Movement Affect Glen Allen, Virginia?
Home foundations in Eastern Virginia are at high risk of movement, and even minimal shifting under or around the rigid concrete can quickly lead to severe problems.
Homeowners in Glen Allen, Richmond, Chester, Chesterfield, Midlothian, Montpelier, Sandston, and other cities close by are forced to deal with foundation issues and costly repairs at an alarming rate.
What Causes Foundation Problems In Glen Allen, Virginia?
The soil composition and climate in Henrico County are mostly to blame for the frequency of foundation issues. We’ll go into the specific factors that contribute to these damages below and explain why each is a problem for your home’s structural integrity.
The ground under Glen Allen is relatively perse, but most of the city’s soils are classified as clayey, meaning they have a high ratio of clay to sand and silt.
Clay particles are tiny and readily absorb large quantities of water. They’re referred to as expansive, and they create several problems for foundations.
The first issue with clay-rich soil is its tendency to swell in the presence of water. The gaps between the small clay particles soak in water via capillary action that isn’t a problem with larger silt or sand particles.
The excess water held by the clay in Glen Allen’s soil causes the earth to expand, placing additional upward pressure on your slab and inward hydrostatic pressure on your foundation walls. This undue stress can very quickly compromise your foundation’s structural integrity.
The second issue with expansive soil is that it absorbs water quickly and drains very slowly. The tiny gaps between clay particles soak up runoff from precipitation and retain it for long periods, so the soil immediately surrounding your home’s foundation remains moist for days following rainfall.
The moisture in the ground is forced against your concrete as the soil expands, giving it ample opportunity to leak through cracks or pores in your foundation. As a result, water intrusion and water vapor accumulation are both prevalent problems in Glen Allen.
The final issue with expansive soil occurs when the water content decreases. When there is little or no rain for days or weeks in Glen Allen, the moisture in the ground evaporates or drains deeper into the ground.
The volume that the soil gains when it gets wet is lost as it dries, leaving the earth around your foundation to shrink as the water drains from it.
The ground naturally dries at slightly varying rates depending on the depth and location, so the resulting foundation settlement can be uneven. Differential settling can very quickly cause structural issues that necessitate costly repairs.
Glen Allen receives approximately 44 inches of rain annually, which is about one and a half times the national average. The above-average rainfall makes the issues with expansive soil more dangerous.
The ground remains saturated for extended periods because of the frequent and heavy precipitation, meaning that the soil will stay at a high volume and place continuous hydrostatic pressure against your foundation. This increases the likelihood of the concrete cracking under the stress and leaving you with structural damage.
The frequent wetting of the soil also means the slowly-draining ground against your foundation will routinely be moist, making the risk of water and water vapor entering your home significantly higher.
These issues are particularly dangerous during hurricane season from May through September when rainfall is at its peak from hurricanes and tropical storms.
Lastly, flooding is an issue throughout Glen Allen for two primary reasons, the first of which is typically only a problem around rivers and waterways in the area. These portions of the city are designated as AE flood zones and experience flooding nearly annually.
Flash flooding is the second and more prevalent type of flooding. Flash floods occur when the ground and drainage systems throughout the city fail to keep up with heavy precipitation. The expansive clay soil drains very slowly because of its absorbing capabilities, so intense rain often backs up on the surface.
Flash floods occur most often during the summer and fall from May through September, which is hurricane season in Virginia. Although Glen Allen is located inland, intense, concentrated rainfall from hurricanes and tropical storms is typical and regularly leads to flooding in the city.
Flooding increases the risk of the soil swelling to dangerous levels, promoting excessive hydrostatic pressure, and it also leads to a higher chance of water intrusion.
What Are The Signs of Basement Foundation Damage In Glen Allen, Virginia?
Each of the underlying causes of foundation damage above can cause different symptoms in your foundation and throughout your home, so accurately assessing foundation problems in Glen Allen can be challenging.
We’ll discuss the common signs of an issue below and include the most likely cause of each.
Virtually all foundations crack at some point, either during the natural settling of the concrete or from outside forces that place undue pressure on your slab or on your crawlspace or basement walls.
The location of the fissure will often be the biggest clue as to what caused the gap to form.
Hairline cracks on your slab’s surface or on your crawlspace or basement floor are among the most common cracks to find.
Provided they remain thin and level from side to side, they’re likely caused by normal settling that isn’t cause for concern. Most foundation repair companies will recommend sealing them to prevent water and moisture issues.
If the cracks continue to grow years after new construction, widen to ⅛” or more, or become unlevel, they instead indicate differential settling.
These gaps need structural repair to restore integrity as well as sealing.
Vertical cracks on the outside edge of your slab or on your foundation walls are typically a result of natural concrete settlement.
The best solution is to seal them to prevent water and moisture from getting through them, and more substantial crack repair may be necessary if they widen to ⅛” or more.
Horizontal cracks in your crawlspace or basement wall indicate excess hydrostatic pressure on the outside of your foundation.
Unfortunately, these damages are widespread in Glen Allen because of the expansive clay soil, and they require expensive stabilization as well as an epoxy or polyurethane sealant.
Many foundation contractors will also suggest an exterior drainage system to help limit the water content in the soil immediately around your foundation.
Differential settling from drying clay soil under your foundation often results in step-shaped fissures on your concrete block wall. These types of damages usually necessitate structural repair in the form of concrete lifting and stabilization to prevent further uneven sinking.
The expansive clay soil, above-average rainfall, and risk of flooding all contribute to water and moisture problems under your home, so wet basements and crawlspaces are very common in Glen Allen.
You likely have a leaking foundation crack if you find standing water under your home, puddles on the floor, wet spots on the concrete during or after precipitation, or water damage.
Water vapor can also enter the area through pores in the concrete, and it’s challenging to identify because it isn’t visible. Symptoms include musty odors in your crawlspace or basement, efflorescence on the concrete block walls, mold growth, damp air, and insect or rodent infestation.
Some homeowners who have severe humidity or mold problems beneath their houses experience symptoms in their living space as well.
Humid air and mold spores seeping up from underneath your home can lead to uncomfortably hot or cold air in your living area, increases in your heating or cooling bills, and indoor allergy symptoms if you or your family members are allergic to mold.
How to Find Signs of Foundation Damage In Glen Allen, Virginia?
Foundation problems generally begin small and gradually worsen over time, so identifying the symptoms early can help reduce the extent of the damage and your repair costs.
We’ll provide a detailed inspection you can carry out every three to four months to find warning signs of an under-home issue.
Begin your home inspection by examining the concrete underneath. You can start outside, looking for cracks or signs of sinking on the visible concrete where the earth meets your structure.
Outside damage will be most evident around the corners of your foundation, so focus on those areas.
Inside your crawlspace or basement, you can look for floor cracks as well as horizontal and stair-step wall cracks. Report any new or growing fissures to a foundation repair contractor.
Given the high risk of water problems in the Greater Richmond area, you should also check for efflorescence on the concrete walls, mold growth, dank smells, pest infestation, and any signs of damp air or water throughout the area.
Move to your living space next and look for shifting of your framing or floor joists that often results from foundation movement.
Sheetrock cracking around doors or windows, walls that aren’t plumb, nail pops through drywall, gaps between the wall and cabinets or countertops, doors and windows getting stuck, and buckling or sloping floors all suggest a foundation issue below.
We recommend comparing your recent utility bills to those from past years, as gradual increases in response to humidity accumulation from under your home can easily go unnoticed over time.
You can also ask your family members if they have experienced abnormal allergy symptoms that could be from airborne mold spores moving up from your under-home area.
Finally, look on the outside of your structure for uneven roofing and cracks in the siding or chimney, all of which can help identify foundation movement. A chimney leaning away from the exterior wall can also signify differential settlement below.
You can determine if expansive soil or poor drainage are particular problems on your property by examining your landscaping.
Leaning or crumbling retaining walls, an uneven yard, and puddling on the surface during rainfall all suggest that your soil may cause damage to your foundation over time if a drainage system isn’t installed.
Cost of Basement Foundation Repair In Glen Allen, Virginia?
Foundation repair in Glen Allen can range from around $250 to well over $20,000, depending on the underlying cause and how much the damage has progressed over time.
We’ll include average pricing for specific repair projects below to give you a better estimate of what your home improvement will cost.
Most general contractors in Glen Allen will apply a sealant to non-structural foundation cracks for between $250 and $750.
This is the most straightforward and affordable repair solution.
Earth anchors are typically the best solution for fixing horizontal wall cracks. These anchors cost around $1,000 each, but they help keep your wall vertical and braced against the mounting hydrostatic pressure in the soil during rainfall. The average total cost is generally between $3,000 and $5,000.
Earth anchors are frequently combined with a French drain or another exterior drainage system to provide a permanent solution. A French drain generally adds around $2,500 to your cost.
Differential settling issues are best repaired with underpinning, which calls for push piers installed under your home to add support and reduce your home’s reliance on the expansive soil.
You can expect to pay between $5,000 and $10,000 for this repair service if steel piers are used. Helical piers can drive the cost up to $20,000 if they are required for a more stable foundation.
This construction service is not only expensive but requires knowledge of structural strength. It’s best to choose a contractor with years of experience who is accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to ensure the best solution possible.
Basement waterproofing systems are among the most common foundation repair solutions in Glen Allen because of the high risk of water intrusion and moisture issues in the area.
Basement systems can include French drains, sump pump systems, dehumidifiers, crawlspace encapsulation, vapor barriers, drain tiles, soil gradation, gutter systems, and more.
Your setup will need to be customized for your property, so the price can vary between $2,000 and $10,000, depending on what waterproofing methods and equipment are required.
