Get matched with top concrete repair specialists in Willard, NC

Most single-story homes don't have foundations strong enough to support a second story, but they can be reinforced for an addition. A structural engineer can assess your foundation and what needs to be done to get it ready. They'll look at any cracks or unevenness in your current foundation and consider any special framing or beams your home needs, especially if it’s in a high-wind or hurricane area.

“To support a second story, many structural engineers will require that you install additional concrete piers in the crawlspace,” says Tschudi. “This involves hand excavating, pouring a large concrete footing—usually with specially coated rebar—and then building concrete piers right up to the girders.”

You can use a level or straight-edge to test for plumb foundation walls and a level slab, a level or a ball to check for sloping floors inside your home, and a hygrometer to look for moisture in your underhome area. Aside from these DIY tests, it’s important to get a foundation repair specialist or structural engineer to test the foundation to see if it’s supporting your structure properly. They can determine if the loads on the concrete are uneven or need reinforcement.

A slab-on-grade or slab foundation is a great option in many areas—usually in warm or moderate climates—and has been a successful foundation style for many decades. Slab foundations don’t require excavation or concrete block wall construction, so they’re the least expensive foundation type. They’re also the fastest to construct and don’t have many issues with moisture or water intrusion. However, they don’t give you extra storage space or potential living space like a crawl space or basement would, and they’re not ideal in colder areas where utility lines can freeze and frost heave can cause major damage.

Foundation repair costs $250 for a minor crack that doesn’t affect the structure’s integrity, although it can cost as much as $800 if it’s a major crack. Call a pro to get it fixed as soon as possible if your crack is bigger than 1/8 inch wide. Additionally, if you need to seal the foundation to fix leaks, it can cost approximately $2,000 to $7,000.