BAY Crawl Space & Foundation Repair Helps Provide Safe & Healthy Homes
Foundation Settlement Cracks – Causes and Repairs
Noticing Foundation Settlement Cracks at Home?
Foundation settlement cracks appear on a house’s cinderblocks and brick when the footing is settling. Diagonal cracks, aka stair-step cracks, indicate that the foundation could be sinking—but maybe not! Diagnosing a foundation settlement issue is critical to preventing further damage without breaking the bank.
Cracked bricks either mean the foundation is shifting or could be caused by a swollen lintel. If foundation repairs were installed in an area where the metal of a lintel swelling caused the cracks, the problem would not be fixed, and the whole expense would have been a waste.
For help with foundation settlement cracks in the greater Hampton Roads, VA / NC region, learn more about BAY Crawl Space & Foundation Repair at our Home Page, About Us Page, or Request A Free Quote Page.
Main Causes of Foundation Settlement Cracks
- The soil cannot support the weight of the home
- The footing has broken
- The soil is not fully compacted
- Groundwater has washed out the soil from under the footing
- The tree’s roots under the footing have decomposed, leaving a void
- The shrink-swell soil has dried up and shrunken
- The shrink-swell soil is saturated and has expanded
- Additional weight was added to the original structure
- An act of God, such as an earthquake, has caused sudden damage
- The concrete making up the footing is decomposed and weakened
Unfortunately, diagnosing the exact cause of foundation settlement cracks is almost impossible. Most of the causes occur underneath the top layer of soil and without warning, so if you notice cracks in your brick, it’s safe to assume you should repair the settled foundation.
The Best Repair Option for Foundation Settlement Cracks
Because most causes of foundation settlement cracks occur subsurface, the best repairs involve bypassing the problem soils and supporting the home’s weight on strong soil layers found at various unknown depths underground. The best repair option for lifetime stabilization is ‘Foundation Push Piers.’
Foundation push pier repairs involve a heavy steel bracket supporting the bottom of the broken footing and galvanized steel pipe sections, driven into the ground until the steel pier reaches stable, strong soils. Pipe sections are driven sequentially, one at a time, with an industrial hydraulic pump and drive ram while pressure readings are monitored. The resistance and PSI of the hydraulics relate to the strength of each soil layer as the pipe is driven slowly into the ground. Once the pier has reached the soil layer, strong enough to support the home’s weight, then the home’s weight can be transferred off the soil under the footing and onto the strong, stable soil layer.
The key to repairing foundation settlement cracks is permanently stabilizing the footing that has settled. Correction is also a key benefit of foundation push piers. Once installed, the installation crew can attempt lift on the home to achieve maximum correction.
Inspecting Your Home for Foundation Settlement Cracks
Our Expert Advisors are trained to identify the causes and best repair options for your home. If you’re concerned about its integrity, we offer free, no-obligation inspections and estimates. When we inspect your home, we explain the problems and solutions and explore multiple options to find the best solution for you.
Why Choose BAY to Fix Your Foundation Settlement Cracks?
BAY Crawl Space & Foundation Repair is your one-stop solution for foundation settlement cracks in Virginia Beach, Newport News, Suffolk, and the surrounding region. Our expert teams have over 400 collective years of experience fixing homes in the Hampton Roads, VA, and NC regions.
Our staff includes structural experts, repair specialists, and an entire support team ready to deliver exceptional customer service and a fast turnaround for your project. This is why BAY Crawl Space can offer excellent long-term warranties on the installation and materials for your repair.
Take advantage of our free crawl space and foundation inspection to learn more about BAY’s foundation crack solutions. Your inspection will give you a much better understanding of the issues at hand and your best options for repair.
Contact BAY Crawl Space & Foundation Repair today by filling out our online form or call 757-460-0444 for a free inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes cracks to appear in my walls?
Cracks in walls are most commonly caused by house settling and foundation movement. Other causes include sagging or bowed beams and joists, compression of structural wood, improper structural design or support, fluctuations in moisture causing the house to shrink or swell, and poor installation of walls without adequate underlying supports.
What are the most common types of wall cracks and their meanings?
- Hairline cracks: Usually minor and often due to normal drying or shrinking of drywall.
- Diagonal cracks: Indicate foundation or structural movement and uneven settling.
- Vertical cracks: May result from settling or shrinkage.
- Widening cracks: Suggest ongoing movement and increased severity.
- Cracks along corners or joints: Often linked to structural stress or settling.
Why does foundation settlement cause wall cracks?
Foundation settlement occurs when the soil beneath or around the foundation shifts unevenly, causing parts of the home to sink. This uneven movement stresses the walls and structural components, resulting in cracks commonly seen above doors, ceiling corners, and window frames.
What role does crawl space moisture play in wall cracking?
Excess moisture in the crawl space causes wood beams and joists to rot or crush under weight, weakening structural supports and contributing to floor and wall movement. Additionally, moisture changes cause the house materials to expand or shrink, increasing cracking risk.
How can these cracks be fixed or prevented?
Repairs depend on the underlying cause:
- Stabilizing settling foundations with push piers
- Adding new footings and crawl space floor supports for settling piers
- Reinforcing or replacing sagging or bowed beams and joists
- Sistering joists to restore strength if compressed
- Adding support where walls are under-supported
- Controlling moisture with encapsulation, vapor barriers, and dehumidifiers
- Adjusting interior humidity to manage house swelling or shrinkage.
When should I be concerned about my wall cracks?
If cracks are large, widening, diagonal, or accompanied by other signs like sticking doors/windows, sloping floors, or ceiling gaps, it’s essential to seek a professional inspection. Early diagnosis can prevent severe structural damage.
What is involved in a professional inspection by Bay Crawl Space?
Bay Crawl Space experts conduct thorough free inspections of the home’s crawl space and foundation. They identify crack causes, assess structural integrity, and explain repair options with multiple solutions tailored to the home’s needs.
Why choose Bay Crawl Space for resolving wall cracks?
Bay Crawl Space brings over 400 years of combined experience, offers quality workmanship, transparent pricing, excellent customer service, and long-term warranties. Their team has high ratings and is recognized for superior structural and moisture control expertise in the Hampton Roads area.
How do I schedule an inspection or get more help?
Contact Bay Crawl Space by phone at 757-460-0444 or fill out their online form to schedule a free, no-obligation inspection. This step is critical to determining proper repairs and protecting your home’s structure.
About BAY Crawl Space & Foundation Repair
BAY is an award-winning crawl space and foundation repair contractor. We’re proud to service an 80-mile radius around our Norfolk, VA headquarters Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
BAY is best known for its amazing reviews (quality and quantity), superior expertise, special methods, and affordable pricing options. We have the ‘Best of the Best’ on our team. Our All-Star Team delivers great customer experiences and the best quality for a great price.
Our reputation in the Hampton Roads community, with homeowners, engineers, city permitting offices, home services professionals, and online as a crawl space foundation repair contractor, is outstanding.
Reviews Summary & Links- Google – 4.9 / 5 Rating, 2,400 + Reviews
- Better Business Bureau – 4.95 / 5 Rating, 500+ Reviews
- Facebook – 5.0 / 5 Rating, 550+ Reviews
- Nextdoor – 5.0 / 5 Rating, 400+ Reviews
- Angi – 4.9 / 5 Rating, 550+ Reviews
We have ranked #1 for crawl space repair in Hampton Roads for 11 years (Google: 2015-2025), ranked top 5% in the USA with Super Service Awards for 8 years (Angi: 2017-2024), were voted Best of Foundation Repair locally for 7 years (CoVA BIZ 2018-2024), were voted “Best of the Best” nationally, and we also won the “Best Places to Work” award (CoVA BIZ).
OUR REVIEWS Click Links To Access Reviews
Our Reviews Reflect Our Commitment to Taking Great Care of Our Customers
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“After shopping companies and getting several bids on the same project, we chose Bay Crawl because of their reputation and price. They had our whole house leveled and stabilized in two days. Left our property cleaner than they found it with a smile on their face. Do NOT plan your next project without getting an estimate from Bay Crawl.”
– Ryan Simpson -
“Our experience with Bay was outstanding. From first contact everything was smooth and made as easy as possible for us. We were kept informed every step of the process via email, phone, and text. The work was top-notch. The cost was extremely reasonable. We were impressed that Bay did not try to sell services that weren’t required.”
– Teresa Lackey -
“My experience was nothing but the best with Bay Crawl Space. The price was much more affordable than what another company quoted. Scheduling was easy and painless. They were professional and treated my home as if it was their own. They left me feeling very confident in my decision to go with Bay.”
– Michael Turner -
“It was an easy decision to choose Bay Crawl Space over the three other estimates I had gotten—not only was the price reasonable based on my research, but Jamie was the only sales advisor who described more than one option that I could choose. The scheduling was very smooth! I am confident that if I have any problems, I can call & they will resolve them.”
– Diane Taylor -
“Severe water damage to the structure. We thought we were in real trouble but after talking with them, we felt much better as we were assured that this was “Easy.” Our experience with Bay was better than we have had with any other contractor EVER. Upfront with what to expect, honest in their communications, and fair pricing.“
– Mike O’Neill -
“We had our crawlspace encapsulated by BAY three years ago at a fraction of the cost of JES’s estimate. The work was done on time and to exceptional standards. The office has been courteous, the workers arrived on time, and the work was accomplished as promised. BAY gets my highest recommendation.”
– Bob Essman -
“I am delighted with the crawl space encapsulation completed by Bay Crawl Space & Foundation Repair. What I particularly appreciate about BAY is their attention to detail & commitment to excellence. They were punctual and very much worth the value. I highly recommend Bay Crawl Space to anyone looking for excellent service & an affordable product.”
– Leslie Ballard -
“I’m not one to take home repairs lightly so I try and do my research. I got over 4 estimates to have my crawl space encapsulated and some repair work done. BAY beat the others prices by over 10k. Oh and they actually did more work that what the others quoted us to do. They also do quality work. So value for money, BAY is the company to go with.”
– Benjamin Alexander -
“I had an independent civil engineer out to inspect prior to the BAY visit. I was afraid I might be oversold on repairs I didn’t need. This was not the case. BAY made the same observations and gave same explanations or better. Great job BAY on hiring honest and competent assessors. Very professional, will work with you again!”
– Zachary Frey -
“I’m super pleased with the work Bay did us, it made a difference almost immediately. Our service advisor, Beau, did an excellent job of identifying the issues in our crawl and offering reasonably priced solutions. The team they sent out to do the work was awesome. They were friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient!”
– David Green -
Bay Crawl is by far the number 1 company for all of your crawl space and foundation needs. They are fairly priced. When coupled with the amazing service you receive, its a value that’s unbeatable. Every employee I interacted with was professional, polite, knowledgable, and hard working. You will not deal with a better run company than Bay Crawl.
– Nicholas Cipriano