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
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Norfolk, Virginia is a desirable city to live in, given its proximity to the ocean, the abundance of entertainment, and the recent revitalization that has left the area more attractive and family-friendly. However, homeownership in eastern Virginia comes with its potential for headaches as well. Property foundations are at significant risk of damage due to the geology and climate in the city.
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 Norfolk. Our pros have years of experience and are familiar with the nuances of Norfolk 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 specific causes of damage to Norfolk foundations, the signs that your home may be affected, and how you can help prevent problems under your house from causing structural damage. We will also go over the average pricing of the more common Virginia foundation solutions in and around 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: Norfolk, VA
Description: Good afternoon. I'm bidding on a project in ocean view that requires jacking of the structure, is this something you do? Please call, thanks.
Date of Request: 05/31/2023
Location: Norfolk, VA
Description: Selling the house and home inspector cited some issues with the foundation. We need those issues checked to see if they are in deed real problems requiring repair.
Date of Request: 05/31/2023
Location: Norfolk, VA
Description: I'm looking to purchase this property. However, the real estate agent and the neighbor believe it requires substantial work ($150k plus). I'm curious about the validity of their estimates. I would like to see if the status of the foundation and get a quote for any repairs. Thank you.
Date of Request: 05/28/2023
Location: Norfolk, VA
Description: Over the past years our house has settled in the middle and its causing cracks in the walls.
Date of Request: 05/25/2023
Location: Norfolk, VA
Description: I have a small water leak in my garage between the floor and the baseboard. That section of the house is on a slab.
Date of Request: 05/23/2023
Location: Norfolk, VA
Description: I am the Real Estate Agent representing the owner/seller of property. We have a PICRA requesting foundation crack repairs using hydraulic cement. We would like a quote. There is a tenant in the property that works nights, so we need an appt after 3:30pm for site survey.
Does Foundation Movement Affect Norfolk, Virginia?
Unfortunately, coastal Virginia is rife with issues that can cause foundation movement. Property owners in Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and many other cities in the Norfolk area experience foundation damage at an abnormally high rate.
What Causes Foundation Problems In Norfolk, Virginia?
Norfolk is a bit of a hotspot for foundation damage, as several underlying problems contribute to the risk. We’ll discuss these catalysts below, along with how they can interfere with your foundation’s stability.
Expansive soil is highly problematic for foundations, and much of Norfolk is underlain by Pamunkey soil, Virginia’s state soil. Pamunkey soil is characterized by a high ratio of clay particles to other constituents, making it an expansive soil. Clay-rich dirt creates a variety of problems for concrete foundations.
Clay expands when it gets wet, which means that runoff from precipitation or floodwater in Norfolk makes the ground swell. This movement is detrimental to foundations because it puts excess pressure – called hydrostatic pressure – on the concrete. When the rigid construction material can no longer bear the weight or flex in response, it can crack and cause severe structural damage.
The opposite is also true: clay soil shrinks when it dries. When the runoff that caused the swelling drains, the ground around your home loses volume and can shrink away from your concrete.
Since the soil’s moisture content can dissipate at varying rates, the shrinking can occur at different speeds, leading to differential settling. This can leave sections of your foundation without support, leading to parts of your house cracking and sinking into the earth.
Lastly, clay particles are very small, so water naturally gets suspended between the particles more readily than it would in a sandy or silty soil. As such, the ground in Norfolk holds water against your foundation for a longer time than typical soil would. Your concrete is left at high risk of water intrusion, especially since the moisture is pressed against it with hydrostatic pressure.
Norfolk is situated on the eastern coast of Virginia, which means it has a very low base elevation of just 7 feet. This presents two additional issues for foundations in the city.
First, it means there is very shallow groundwater, making drainage inadequate in the area. Runoff can only drain so far into the earth before reaching the groundwater, so it instead pools nearer to the surface and sometimes above ground level. Therefore, your home’s foundation is exposed to water and moisture frequently, contributing to issues with expansive soil and water intrusion.
Additionally, the proximity to the coast leaves Norfolk open to regular flooding. Floods from rising sea levels and tide movement are common, and areas around the many waterways throughout the city are marked as being at exceptionally high risk of flood.
Regardless of the source, floodwater makes issues with swelling soil worse and leaves your home prone to water problems and moisture build-up.
Lastly, the frequent hurricanes and tropical storms are severe problems for home foundations in Norfolk. These weather patterns bring heavy, concentrated rain that can cause ground swelling and flooding.
The average monthly precipitation from June to September is significant, leaving the ground more prone to swelling and homes at elevated risk of water intrusion.
What Are The Signs of Basement Foundation Damage In Norfolk, Virginia?
The underlying causes of foundation damage can bring about a variety of symptoms in your foundation and throughout your house. We’ll discuss these symptoms and the most likely cause of each below.
Foundation cracks are widespread, and they don’t all indicate foundation failure or structural damage. It’s easiest to diagnose the most likely issue based on the location and width of the gap.
Vertical cracks on slab foundations or the interior of crawlspace or basement walls are prevalent and usually indicate natural settling of the concrete. Provided they’re thin, they may not require any treatment other than sealing to stop water from getting through them.
Wider cracks may need minor stabilization to keep the gap from widening over time.
If you have a crawlspace or basement, you may notice hairline cracks on the floor inside.
These are also most often from settling and aren’t a significant problem. However, wider or uneven floor cracks result from differential settling and can indicate structural issues.
If you’re lucky enough to have a basement in Norfolk, you may be unlucky enough to experience horizontal cracking in the wall. Lateral cracks indicate that your wall is suffering from hydrostatic pressure and usually require structural repair.
Cracks on concrete block walls that form in the shape of stair steps are most often caused by differential settling. They appear when a portion of your foundation loses support from underneath and sinks into the earth until it finds support once again. These cracks are almost always structural in nature.
Similar to stair-step cracks, sinking foundations occur because of differential settling. Unfortunately, this is a prevalent problem in Norfolk because of the expansive soil under the city.
If you have access to the space under your home, you may find unlevel floor cracks or gaps on the slab that are wider than ⅛”. If you are like most homeowners in Norfolk and have a slab foundation, you might see visual sinking around the corners of your foundation outside or cracks that span over foundation corners.
The groundwater, risk of flooding, and expansive soil in eastern Virginia all contribute to water problems. Regardless of the style of foundation you have, these underlying issues leave your concrete exposed to water and moisture for extended periods and can bring about various warning signs of foundation problems.
If you have access to the space under your house, you may find standing water on the floor, water seeping through cracks in the concrete, mold growth from moisture build-up, and efflorescence, which is an accumulation of white minerals on the concrete walls after the incoming water evaporates into the air. You may also notice damaged construction materials, rodents or insects infesting the area, musty odors, or damp air.
If you have a slab foundation, the signs of water issues are often less apparent. You may experience musty odors in your living space or unexplained allergies due to mold growth under your home. You might find that your utility bills are unusually high, or the air in your living space is less comfortable than expected due to the humid air in your house.
How to Find Signs of Foundation Damage In Norfolk, Virginia?
Severe foundation damage rarely occurs in an isolated incidence. As such, identifying the warning signs of early foundation issues is critical for reducing the damage to your home and the costs involved in repairing it. Below, we’ll give you some tips on how to conduct your own foundation inspection to monitor problems under your home successfully.
You should conduct your DIY home inspection about once every three months, as this will give you the best chance of locating damage before it becomes severe. Begin your examination by looking carefully at all exposed portions of your foundation for signs of damage.
If you have a slab foundation, walk the perimeter of your house and identify any cracks, including their length, width, and orientation. We recommend keeping a written record of any gaps you find to compare during your next inspection. Report any new or worsening damage to a foundation repair company.
If you have a crawlspace or basement, go under your home to inspect for warning signs. These include cracks in the concrete, water pooling on the floor, wet spots on the concrete, signs of water damage, mold growth, musty odors, humid air, efflorescence, and the presence of insects or rodents.
Your house relies on your foundation for support, so the movement of the concrete typically results in some signs of damage inside your home.
The most obvious signs typically occur on the sheetrock throughout your house. Shifting framing above damaged concrete can result in drywall cracks near windows, doors, or room corners, nails popping out of the walls, and cabinets pulling away from the walls behind them. Issues with the framing can also make doors or windows challenging to open or close.
The floor joists in your house rely on the foundation for a level surface as well, so look for uneven, buckling, or sloping flooring in all rooms throughout your home.
Lastly, be on the lookout for musty odors, damp air, uncomfortable temperatures, and high utility bills, all of which can be problems caused by moisture that is coming in through your concrete slab or your under-home area.
Complete your home inspection outside, where additional foundation issues can often be spotted. Look for your chimney leaning away from your house, sagging or bowing roofing, and cracks developing in your stucco, stone, or brick siding or facade.
You may be able to identify the potential for foundation damage by checking your landscaping. Look for pots or dips in your lawn, leaning retaining walls, gaps between the earth and your foundation, and soggy portions of the yard, especially after rainfall or flooding. These can all indicate that you have inadequate drainage on your property, which can cause damage to your foundation over time.
Cost of Basement Foundation Repair In Norfolk, Virginia?
Most Norfolk homeowners pay an average of around $5,500 for foundation repair services. However, the price to correct different issues can range from as little as $300 to well over $20,000. We’ll give you approximate pricing for various foundation repairs below.
Most concrete repair specialists will seal foundation cracks for between $300 and $800, depending on the extent of the damage. Reputable contractors will inspect the issue beforehand and confirm that the gap isn’t structural before sealing with epoxy or polyurethane.
Horizontal cracks on crawlspace or basement walls typically require earth anchors – also called tiebacks – to pull the wall back to its original position and help keep it upright moving forward. Earth anchors usually cost between $3,000 and $5,000 to install.
Some foundation repair contractors use carbon fiber support strips to help the wall resist inward movement. This less effective basement or crawlspace repair costs approximately $2,000. Although they are more affordable than tiebacks, they won’t last forever, so they typically don’t come with a warranty.
Whether you notice a stair-step crack or an unlevel floor crack in your crawlspace or basement wall, or you find signs of sinking or cracks spanning the corners of your slab foundation, your sinking foundation is usually best treated with underpinning. This process involves installing push piers under your concrete to add support that has been lost from the surrounding soil.
Steel piers and helical piles are the most common types of supports, and the total cost can range from $3,000 to more than $20,000, depending on how many pilings your home requires.
Most foundation repair experts will install a basement waterproofing system to address ongoing problems with water intrusion or moisture build-up in your house. These systems commonly include French drains, sump pumps, vapor barriers, crawlspace encapsulation, dehumidifiers, and other methods for reducing the water that contacts your concrete.
The average cost of the system is approximately $5,000, but you may pay anywhere between $2,500 and $10,000 depending on the extent of the equipment your home requires. Although cheaper options can be appealing, they might not be sufficient. We recommend hiring a contractor with years of experience and knowledge of water intrusion to carry out the repair, even if their solutions are pricier.
