Expert Foundation Repair Services In Newport News, VA

Unfortunately, many of the attractive qualities of coastal Virginia also contribute to foundation problems. Property owners in Newport News, Yorktown, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Richmond, and several other cities in the surrounding area have to deal with foundation damage and repairs at an alarming rate.

A few factors are at play that leave Newport News foundations prone to problems. Below, we’ll discuss each of the geologic and climatic factors at play in the area that causes foundation issues, as well as the type of damage you can expect each to cause.

Rapidly-Draining Soil

With all of Newport News in very close proximity to beaches, it should be no surprise that the soil in the area is sandy. It’s categorized as Norfolk fine sandy loam, which is composed of large and small sand particles and smaller ratios of silt and clay.

Fine sandy loam drains much more rapidly than many other soil types because the sand particles allow water to flow readily between them. The fast drainage is problematic for home foundations for a few reasons.

The first and more serious problem the sandy soil presents is that erosion is common. The large sand particles can quickly get washed away by runoff from rain or floodwater.

Erosion is a problem on the surface, but it’s especially dangerous for foundations when it occurs underground.

As water drains into the earth, it can wash away soil particles under certain parts of your house. This process can lead to differential settling, which is when portions of your home gradually lose support from the soil and sink deeper into the earth. If the downward movement of concrete sections becomes extreme, your foundation can crack and compromise your structure’s stability.

Another problem created by rapidly draining and erosion-prone soil is that voids can form around your foundation as water washes away sand particles that typically sit against the concrete. These voids can fill with water during flooding or heavy rainfall.

The pooling water increases the hydrostatic pressure on your home and keeps the water in contact with your foundation for extended periods. The longer runoff or floodwater remains against your home, the more likely it is to seep in through foundation cracks or the pores in your concrete, contributing to water damage and hazardous moisture accumulation.

Coastal Location & Flooding

Newport News is situated on the eastern side of the Virginia peninsula, meeting the tide level in many areas along the coast. The average elevation throughout the city is just 15 feet above sea level. This is ideal for beach access, but it means that property owners must deal with flooding regularly and that many homes throughout the area are at high risk of flooding.

There are a few types of floods that are common in Newport News. Flooding can occur during periods of heavy precipitation that cause the tide or rivers to rise and overflow. Excessive rain is a common occurrence in Eastern Virginia, and the low elevation means that the groundwater is relatively shallow.

Runoff has very little room to drain, which means it can pool on or near the surface during rainfall.

Flooding contributes to the problems already present because of the soil. It leaves properties at a higher risk of underground erosion and differential settling. It also means that any voids created around your concrete will fill with water more often and leave your house prone to water damage and moisture build-up.

Tropical Storms and Hurricanes

Lastly, Newport News residents are conditioned to expect intense storms and heavy rainfall during hurricane season, from around June through November. The city experiences a little over 45 inches of rain annually, which is almost 50% higher than the national average. Concentrated rainfall, specifically from July to September, can be nearly double the monthly average for the rest of the year.

Tropical storms and hurricanes bring heavy precipitation and winds that can contribute to ground erosion and water intrusion in your home. It also increases the risk of flooding significantly, intensifying these problems even more.

Most foundations in Newport News are built slab-on-grade because the groundwater is so shallow. As such, the slab foundations in the area generally exhibit many of the same symptoms of damages, making it a bit simpler to assess for foundation problems. Below, we’ll discuss the more common signs of under-home issues and the likely cause.

Foundation Cracks

Foundation cracks on slab foundations are typically straightforward to identify but can be challenging to interpret, primarily because of the minimal access you have to your foundation. We’ll break down the differences below.

Vertical Cracks

Typically, the most accessible cracks will be on the outside of your home, and they form most often in a single vertical line on the visible portion of your concrete. These cracks are generally caused by the natural settling of the concrete after it’s poured, and they don’t often indicate a serious problem. Many homeowners choose to have these cracks filled with an epoxy or polyurethane to reduce the chances of water intrusion.

Cracks Extending Around Foundation Corners

Another crack you may be able to see from the outside is a horizontal or diagonal crack that wraps around the corner of your foundation. This crack is often a result of differential settling and is much more severe. It develops when the foundation loses support from underneath, cracks under the pressure of your home, and sinks into the earth more rapidly than the rest of the concrete.

This type of fissure can indicate structural damage, so you should call a concrete repair company to inspect and address it immediately.

Hairline Floor Cracks

Floor cracks can be challenging to identify on a slab because they’re typically covered by flooring. However, if you remove the flooring for replacement or to assess for suspected foundation issues, you may find thin cracks spanning out in a web pattern. As long as these gaps remain very thin and one side of the gap doesn’t rise above the other, they’re likely from normal settling and are harmless. Sealing them is good practice to keep water out of your home.

Uneven or Wide Floor Cracks

Floor cracks that are wider than ⅛” or that aren’t level across the gap are significantly more dangerous. These are almost certainly from differential settling, which is causing a portion of your foundation to sink into the ground to find support again.

Unlevel or wide floor fissures generally suggest structural damage, and they can necessitate the most costly foundation repair and home improvement if they’re left untreated.

Water Damage or Moisture Build-Up

Lastly, the heavy rainfall and risk of underground erosion in Newport News leave homes open to water intrusion and moisture problems. Liquid water or water vapor can wick up through your concrete and can cause significant property damage.

Your slab will generally be hidden from view by your flooring, making the assessment of these problems challenging. However, some common symptoms of a water issue that are recognizable include musty odors in your home, insect infestation, above-average utility bills, noticeably damp air, sloping flooring, walls that are no longer plumb, and cracks in your sheetrock caused by the flexing of your framing in response to moisture changes.

Foundation issues often begin small and worsen over time because of the stress of your structure’s weight. As such, identifying the symptoms of foundation damage early can end up saving you thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars in repairs. Below, we’ll detail a thorough inspection you can carry out yourself every three or four months to find potential foundation problems quickly.

Check Your Foundation

Foundation problems are sometimes visible in the concrete even if you have a slab foundation, which is most common in Newport News. You can begin your inspection outside, where you’ll examine the concrete for cracks.

Look for vertical cracks that need to be sealed, as well as horizontal or diagonal cracks that span the corners of your structure. Report any gaps you find to a concrete repair specialist for stabilization or sealing.

If you have access to the top side of your slab – while you’re replacing flooring or if you can pull up carpeting temporarily – look for thin, level cracks that need sealing and wider or uneven cracks that may require structural repair. Report your findings to a foundation contractor.

Inspect Your Living Space

Once you’re done examining your concrete, you can look for signs of foundation movement and water or moisture problems throughout your living space.

The framing behind your walls can shift and bow if the concrete underneath sinks in response to differential settling. Look for leaning or bulging walls, nails popping out of the drywall, cracks in the sheetrock around wall openings and the corners of rooms, and cabinets or countertops pulling away from the wall in your bathrooms or kitchen.

Your floor joists rely directly on the concrete below for support. As such, the movement of your home’s foundation can cause buckling, sloping, or uneven floors in your living space.

Lastly, look for signs of moisture problems.

These can include insect infestations in your house, moldy odors, unexplained allergy symptoms if the mold spores come through the floors, visible water damage on sheetrock or flooring, excessive utility bills, uncomfortable temperatures in the summer, and noticeably humid air inside your house.

Finish Your Inspection Outside

Finally, you can head outside and look for signs of foundation movement there. The most common indications of a foundation problem on the outside of your home include cracks in your siding from shifting framing, a leaning chimney, and issues with the roofing, including sagging or waviness.

Your landscaping can sometimes indicate the potential for foundation problems. Divots in your lawn can suggest that you’re at risk of differential settling, and sloping of the ground down to the concrete under your home can signify that voids may be developing below the surface, leaving your concrete prone to water intrusion.

Newport News residents typically pay around $5,000 for foundation repair solutions, but the price can fall anywhere between $250 and about $20,000. We’ll provide some average pricing for the more common Virginia foundation solutions below.

Cost to Seal Foundation Cracks

Foundation crack sealing is often the most affordable foundation solution, as the process is minimally invasive and requires limited labor. General contractors typically charge between $250 and $750 for the service, depending on the size of the gap and the ease of access.

Cost to Repair Foundation Sinking

Cracks that span the corner of your foundation or those that are wide or uneven on the surface of your concrete slab typically require stabilization. Most foundation specialists use underpinning to provide support from under your concrete.

Helical piers are the most common option for supportive push piers in Newport News. These cost around $3,000 each, and most homes need between three and ten supports. The price is generally between $10,000 and $20,000.

Minor concrete leveling jobs can occasionally be repaired using foam jacking. This process involves forcing an expansive foam under your slab to raise it back to its original position. This option is cheaper, typically averaging around $5,000, but it’s not permanent, can create additional damages, and often doesn’t include a warranty.

Cost to Fix Water or Moisture Issues

Water intrusion and moisture build-up can be challenging to correct, but a basement waterproofing system is generally the best option. A foundation repair contractor can customize the setup for your home based on the extent of the problem and the risk of flooding. As such, it’s best to choose a foundation repair expert with years of experience and knowledge of the various system options.

Your system may include an exterior drainage system, a vapor barrier, gutters, downspouts, and soil gradation if you have a slab foundation. If you have an under-home area, your basement or crawlspace repair may require sump pumps, a floor or tile drain, crawlspace encapsulation, and other methods for limiting the water that comes in contact with your concrete foundation.

Water intrusion and moisture build-up may also require additional interior repair, pest control, or mold remediation, depending on whether the moisture has created additional issues in your home.