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Foundation Repair

Permanently address foundation settlement, wall cracks, and structural instability with JES Foundation Repair's lasting foundation repair solutions.

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If you notice wall cracks in your home, they may indicate a larger foundation problem. Together with drywall nail pops, uneven floors, and sticking windows, signs of potential foundation failure might be all over your home. If you think that yours is in trouble, call the experts at JES Foundation Repair for a comprehensive inspection of your home. We have proven solutions to restore your foundation and the warranties to back them up.


Causes of Foundation Damage

There are numerous reasons your house may have these problems. Most of these causes stem from the ground.

Expansive soils create foundation damage. Expansive soils, including, clay soil, shrink-swell, and heavable soil, are all different names for the same thing. Expansive soils are responsible for more damage to buildings than any other natural hazard.

This type of soil contains minerals like smectite clays, which absorb a lot of moisture. As the expansive soil soaks up water it expands – up to 15 times its dry volume. Furthermore, the expanded soil then pushes against your foundation and creates cracks or waterproofing problems.

In fact, as the expansive soil dries, it shrinks. The soil shrinkage gives your foundation room to move around. Consequently, this extra room removes the support from your foundation and will cause cracks, settling, and other foundation damage. The pressure of expansive soils against your foundation can exceed 30,000 pounds per square foot.

Deep foundations require a type of foundation repair that has support columns, pillars, or piles. These piers are driven deep into the ground or until they reach bedrock. This is done to provide additional stabilization when the surface soil can no longer support the weight of your home.

These types of foundations require solutions which address problems like settlement or stair-step cracked bricks. For example, if your home has cracked bricks caused by settlement, push piers or resistance piles may be installed. The piers are installed beneath your home’s foundation footing and then driven into bedrock or stable soil.

The piers are installed into stable soil or bedrock because it prevents further settlement and movement. Furthermore, the resistance provided by the stable soil can even help lift your home back to its original level.

When the soil your home is built on can no longer support the weight of your home, the structure will start to settle. An expert may recommend installing a deep foundation system to stabilize your home.

Deep foundation soils and deep foundation systems are best understood by starting with the ground. Soil is made up of obvious layers which have different qualities and are a good indicator of how deep you need to extend your foundation. 

The top layers of soil compress and easily compact – this is where settlement occurs and where you’ll find problem soils like expansive clay. The deeper soil layers, like parent rock, are stable and less likely to move. This is why a deep foundation pier system is installed into competent load bearing soils or bedrock.

Award-Winning Service

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Had to have my floor jacked up. Had the crew of Kelvin, Ricardo and George June 5 and 6. They were here on time, friendly, efficient, very …

Had to have my floor jacked up. Had the crew of Kelvin, Ricardo and George June 5 and 6. They were here on time, friendly, efficient, very hard working, did an excellent job. After the job was done went the extra mile to help me out with a problem loosening ball from trailer hitch.

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They did a fantastic job! Very quick and always polite. Our little crew was only 3 people: Jose Rodriguez, Henry Ayala, and Jamie Salos. I…

They did a fantastic job! Very quick and always polite. Our little crew was only 3 people: Jose Rodriguez, Henry Ayala, and Jamie Salos. I could not recommend them more!

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I called JES for mold concerns in crawl spaces and also found that I had some structural support issues. Celeste C. came out to inspect and …

I called JES for mold concerns in crawl spaces and also found that I had some structural support issues. Celeste C. came out to inspect and was awesome- knowledgeable and thorough. Tyler Holthaus, Brandon Warren, Larry Robinson Jr, and Roosevelt White did an amazing job, efficient and great attention to detail. Really nice guys working in some especially tricky tight spots! Very happy with the work and would highly recommend JES.

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Taylor Jeffries and coach Chris Scott did a fabulous job with assisting us through a major structural foundation repair. We live in a 10…

Taylor Jeffries and coach Chris Scott did a fabulous job with assisting us through a major structural foundation repair. We live in a 10 unit Condo building and our foundation repairs begin January the 20th.

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I've now had JES complete two projects in my exposed crawlspace. Both times, they have added adjustable jacks on top of footers and either…

I've now had JES complete two projects in my exposed crawlspace. Both times, they have added adjustable jacks on top of footers and either replaced a main beam or added a supplemental metal I Beam. I've been extremely impressed with their quality of work, timeliness, and efficiency. They show up ready to work and are sure to ask questions if needed. I spent time with both crews down in the crawl space and appreciated their professionalism and willingness to make things right.Foreman: Jaime CastilloAntonio CanalesJose Rafael GarciaThe only thing I was not pleased with was how little the office side of things kept in touch with me prior to pinning down this second date. I was told on multiple occasions I'd be receiving an update from the office and each time I had to call them. Again, overall I am very happy, hats off to the site workers and everyone I spoke to the in the office was very pleasant, I just wish they had provided more updates without being prompted. Would do business with again in the future.

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JES stabilized our house foundation which is in sandy soil close to tidal water. The supervisor, Moises Paz came to the house several times …

JES stabilized our house foundation which is in sandy soil close to tidal water. The supervisor, Moises Paz came to the house several times prior to the repair to ensure the engineer had a clear understanding of the problem. He stayed in touch every step of the process. The crew Foreman Jaime Castillo and his team Antonio Canales and Jason Morales were very professional. They put down sheeting to protect the lawns and were careful around the shrubs. Mr. Castillo explained everything he was doing and why. They cleaned up, added top soil and seeded. Very satisfied. We recommend JES and Mr. Paz for any foundation work in Maryland.

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I recently had to have some foundation work done to my home as well as getting it encapsulated. We decided to go with JES Foundation Repair …

I recently had to have some foundation work done to my home as well as getting it encapsulated. We decided to go with JES Foundation Repair and could not have been anymore pleased. It was a 4 day job and we had the pleasure of getting to know Joe Autry and Dontay. They arrived every day with a smile on their face ready to go to work. They explained what they were doing each day as they completed the project. Joe Autry and Dontay are a true asset to JES Foundation Repair. If anyone is ever in need of Foundation work or encapsulation JES is the place to call

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Excellent experience working with Chris Jones.

Excellent experience working with Chris Jones.

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Justin ********* was very polite and explained everything in detail to me. He also gave me payment options.

Justin ********* was very polite and explained everything in detail to me. He also gave me payment options.

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Andre was great! He was very thorough with inspecting everything JES installed. He addressed all my questions. Andre is awesome!!

Andre was great! He was very thorough with inspecting everything JES installed. He addressed all my questions. Andre is awesome!!

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Joe A., Cory G., and Mojo came out and did a very professional foundation repair on our free standing garage. They were very knowledgeable…

Joe A., Cory G., and Mojo came out and did a very professional foundation repair on our free standing garage. They were very knowledgeable and courteous. Answered all our questions and kept us informed throughout the process.

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Experience and process were terrific. Joey McCullough, our initial contact, was very knowledgeable, pleasant and answered all of our…

Experience and process were terrific. Joey McCullough, our initial contact, was very knowledgeable, pleasant and answered all of our questions. After the initial visit, he confirmed the start date for our project and will be on site to ensure our satisfaction. Overall the process has been smooth and efficient.

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Rob H, Troy G and Marquis C were friendly and professional.

Rob H, Troy G and Marquis C were friendly and professional.

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Mike, Tyler, and Nick (Colorado Springs) did a superb job of raising the concrete slab on our lower level. Very impressed with the…

Mike, Tyler, and Nick (Colorado Springs) did a superb job of raising the concrete slab on our lower level. Very impressed with the quality of work they did.

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The JES team: Christopher Gonzalez, Joel Larios, and Arcy Parra, were great, very professional. I was curious about the process of placing…

The JES team: Christopher Gonzalez, Joel Larios, and Arcy Parra, were great, very professional. I was curious about the process of placing piers in the ground to stabilize my foundation and Christopher walked me through the whole process explaining the work they were doing and what to expect along the way. I like that their work has a lifetime warranty as well.

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Our house was starting to make noises and I noticed drywall cracks. At first I assumed this was from my dinosaur footed stomping children…

Our house was starting to make noises and I noticed drywall cracks. At first I assumed this was from my dinosaur footed stomping children but these symptoms kept getting worse and so I decided it was time to start researching options. After a few google searches and reviews I reached out to JES and a few competitors. Mike Mele came out and sat with me and I explained to him what we were experiencing. He walked me around the house and showed me what was happening and where. He tested with a laser level and proved that the back side of our house was sinking and then we went into the crawl space. Mike inspected all of the support beams and showed me exactly where there was separation from the beams and how it was affecting the house. I was given a presentation of what JES could and would do. Mike explained to me that their system does not guarantee the house being level, but that the house would not sink any further. Price was fair compared to competitors, and after being offered a 3 year maintenance plan, I requested adding the 5 year maintenance plan instead. JES said they would contact me every 6 months to slowly adjust the jack beams as needed. Deposit paid, contract signed. Permitting took around a month or so. I have nothing nice to say about the county I live in. They are slow and as they are government entities, inherently and completely inept. I was put on the schedule after a few follow up emails between JES and myself. Install was hopefully a 2 day period, IF, the county finished inspections. Day 1 of install, our installer, foreman Abdul Kargbo came out and got to work. He was ready by the afternoon with intentions of the inspector coming the next day to confirm the footer digs were correct. Next day, a Friday the inspector never came, even though he was scheduled, and the crew sat all day and did nothing all day waiting for him to come. Tuesday, the inspector finally came, albeit late, and approved the footers and Tuesday Abdul and Roman came back to do the work. They worked well into the evening to finish the job. Abdul requested a review and I told him that once the final inspection was approved, I would give one. I IMMEDIATELY noticed a difference in the way the floors felt and sounded. Items that were prone to shaking in cabinets were no longer making noise. Floor creaks that were annoying, but that we had gotten used to were gone. The house felt far more sturdy. My kids incessant stomping no longer shook pictures on the wall. The next day I called Mike back to let him know how everything went and that I was happy. I asked him about the final inspection timeline. Mike asked for a review and I told him the same thing I told Abdul. Once final was approved I would do so. Here begins frustrations for us. I don't hold JES entirely responsible for this however because the county staffed with government workers, I think JES could have been more aggressive on our behalf with the county. I understand JES has a delicate relationship with the counties and have to balance customer expectations with the ability to continue to operate at the behest of the counties they operate within. The county claimed they didn't have an engineering letter. These are basically liability transfers that keep the county inspectors from putting their necks on the line, but still enable to to collect the money. Within the packet that was posted to my door were all the engineering packet that showed the math, plans and a letter with a certification stamp. We had to go back and forth with JES and the county ourselves to get this moving faster. I do not believe the county didn't have this letter, or at bare minimum have enough to approve the project. I do know the county is inept. County approved the project in spite of them saying they didn't have plans. Which were included in the packet taped to my door. Due to my disgust with government, JES still gets a 5 star, regardless of the frustrations we had to deal with. Thanks Mike, Abdul and all the JES crew. It was great working with you. See you in 6 months for the check up!

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Team is super helpful in ever aspect. Hard workers and always have a positive attitude. The work itself is top tier as well. 10/10 recommend

Team is super helpful in ever aspect. Hard workers and always have a positive attitude. The work itself is top tier as well. 10/10 recommend

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The man who came and did the job with above and beyond my expectations they were very polite. All three guys were wonderful. They were very …

The man who came and did the job with above and beyond my expectations they were very polite. All three guys were wonderful. They were very hard in a lot of heat.

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Start to finish the experience was great with JES. Everything was explained clearly and thoroughly during the first home visit. …

Start to finish the experience was great with JES. Everything was explained clearly and thoroughly during the first home visit. Expectations were met with timing and permitting process. Work was done quickly and with minimal interruption. Recommended.

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We had an inspection done by Shannon Martin. He was very friendly, listened to every question and concern we had. The inspection he…

We had an inspection done by Shannon Martin. He was very friendly, listened to every question and concern we had. The inspection he preformed was very thorough and the solutions were true solutions. We cannot wait to begin this project with him leading it.

Is Foundation Repair the Right Solution for Me? 

If you see cracks in your walls or basement floors, drywall nail pops, or a tilting chimney around your house, it’s time for foundation repair. If your foundation is failing, your whole home is at stake. If ignored, it will only get worse.

These foundation problems arise because of the soil around your home contracting and expanding between dry and rainy days. Foundation repair will help you fight against these conditions and keep your home safe and sound for years to come. If you have questions about whether or not foundation repair is right for your home, call your local experts at JES Foundation Repair. We’ll be happy to find the solution right for you.

FAQs

Slab foundations are inexpensive and easy to build, making them a popular foundation choice for many. Unfortunately, they are capable of settling just like any of the slabs on your property. 

  • How Slab Foundations Settle  

Slab foundations settle in the same way your driveway or patio slabs settle—due to soil displacement. A negative yard grade and poor yard drainage all contribute to foundation settling, even with slab foundations. The signs are a lot harder to detect, since homeowners can’t observe the damage to their slab foundation in the same way they can their crawl space or basement. 

Besides soil washout, a big factor in foundation soil displacement is pressure. Sandy soils are a lot looser and shifty than clay soils, and because they are less dense, displacement is easy when they have to support large weights. As a house is used over the years and heavy furniture is moved about, the foundation has to support more weight. Over time, this does affect the soil.  

  • How Settled Slab Foundations Are Repaired 

Like any slab on your property, you don’t have to replace a slab foundation once it settles. JES can stabilize and even lift your settling slab foundation using slab piers. They are steel rods that transfer the weight of the house to the competent, load-bearing soils below. Because your slab will no longer rely on loose soil, slab foundations will perpetually support your foundation. 

PolyRenewal™ can also be used on a slab foundation. Polyurethane foam is able to support over 100 tons of weight, so it’s more than capable of lifting your foundation. Polyurethane foam can’t always be used for slab foundations, and, sometimes, slab piers are required. You would have to talk to your local foundation expert to determine which one you need for your settling slab. 

The specialists at JES Foundation Repair offer a wide variety of solutions for you, depending on what part of your foundation needs repair. If you are looking to realign and stabilize your bowed-in foundation walls, you may want to look into the IntelliBrace™ system, JES Foundation Repair Wall Anchors, or the Carbon Fiber Wall Repair. The IntelliBrace consists of a number of incredibly sturdy I-beams that are installed on the inside of your foundation wall to prevent them from buckling inwards even more. The JES Foundation Repair Wall Anchors are installed underground, directly into the hard, densely packed soil so that it can support your foundation wall from below. The least invasive method goes to the Carbon Fiber system, which has a lightweight, sleek, and non-stretchy design constructed to repair cracks and even provide your foundation wall with much needed stability.

If you are mainly experiencing sagging foundation floors, you may want to look into the various Pier Systems or even the Crawl Space IntelliJack™ Support System. There are 3 pier systems to choose from: the Slab, Helical, and Push Pier Systems. Each pier system is catered to both the type of foundation problem, as well as the space constraints of your landscape. Although the IntelliJack™ was made primarily for sagging floors due to crawl space problems, it can also dually work to support foundation floors that are sinking as well. 

Sometimes, the amount of water that builds up around your foundation walls can result in immense pressure against your foundation structure. The SMART VENT Flood Vents offered at JES Foundation Repair provides an alternate pathway for this water so that it does not accumulate onto your foundation wall. This can prevent buckling and structural damage. This water can then be removed via other drainage systems in your home.

Helical piers stabilize a foundation by transferring its weight from weak, shifting soil to deeper, stronger load-bearing soil. Once installed and attached to the foundation, they help stop further settlement and provide long-term support.

Determining the warning signs of foundation problems tends to be a bit tricky for homeowners. It can often be confused with general structural issues that can be fixed with simple solutions that you can do right at home. However, DIY repairs are always highly discouraged because it can be risky and cause potential injury.

Some of the warning signs of foundation problems include: 

  • Sinking settlements
  • Tilted chimneys
  • Buckled or cracked walls
  • Wood rot around your home perimeter
  • Sagging floors
  • Uneven doorways and window frames

The foundation of your home is named the foundation for a reason. It is responsible for maintaining many of the structures within your home. Usually, when there is a problem sign in one place, another may appear. It is important to keep an eye out before more drastic problems occur.

Yes, a sinking chimney can indicate foundation problems, especially if the chimney shares a foundation with the home. Foundation settlement, soil movement, or deteriorating support beneath the chimney can cause it to separate from the house, crack, or lean. A professional inspection can determine whether the problem is isolated to the chimney or also affects the home’s foundation.

If you’re dealing with a settling foundation due to soil washout, then you might want to know what your options are. If you do some research, then you’ll hear talk of concrete piers for your foundation, which are meant to stabilize your home so that it won’t settle anymore. 

However, concrete piers as a foundation support system are outdated and unreliable. There are plenty of modern options for your foundation that last longer than concrete piers and actually give you bang for your buck.  

  • Why Concrete Piers Don’t Work 

Concrete piers are not capable of lifting your settling foundation. The way they are made and put into place does not allow contractors to exert the required pressure to lift your foundation back into place. What they are meant to do is simply stop the settling and keep your home in its current position; however, this isn’t even a guarantee. This is because the foundation should not rely on the pier system itself to stay stable but rather on the load-bearing soil deep beneath your property. 

Concrete piers are not able to reach load-bearing soil depths because they cannot be made long enough to do so. The longer and thinner the concrete pier is, the less weight it’s able to support due to its low tensile strength. Making it bigger won’t help either since the bigger the pier is, the more likely it is to experience skin friction. Once a concrete pier feels the pressure caused by the skin friction, it crumbles under the weight of the house. 

  • What You Can Do About Foundation Settling  

At JES, we offer multiple solutions that are able to reliably stabilize your foundation and possibly lift it back into place as well. We have helical and push piers, as well as slab piers for slab-on-grade. They are long rods made of galvanized steel that are attached to your foundation and buried deep underground. Because of their sleek design, they are capable of reaching load-bearing soil and transferring the weight of your foundation to those soils. These pier systems can mechanically exert pressure onto your foundation until it’s stable once more. 

If you have a slab foundation, then we have another repair option for you. You can use PolyRenewal™ to lift your foundation back into place like you would any other slab. It depends on the needs of your home, but utilizing polyurethane foam can lift your foundation until it’s even again without the need for excavation or heavy machinery. The device we use to inject PolyRenewal™ is handheld and small, meaning that it can be used in smaller areas, like your bathroom, if need be.

Wall anchors are one of the most common repair products used to prevent bowing walls from collapsing and return them to their original positioning. Installing these anchors is relatively straightforward, and our team has the tools, skills, and training to give you the results that you need from your wall anchor installation process.

It starts with an assessment of your home and the damaged walls, of course, at which point we will map out the ideal placement for each wall anchor and figure out how many will be needed to get the right result. Once we know where the anchors are going, excavation will begin both inside and outside of your home. The earth anchors will need to be placed in the earth around 10 feet from your home, while holes will be drilled into your foundation walls, so that steel rods can be driven through and connected to the earth anchors. Once they are connected to the anchors, the wall plates can be mounted and connected.

Once the wall anchors have been fully installed, the excavation points can be covered and the interior plates can be disguised. At this point, the damaged wall will have been stabilized and there will be no risk of the wall collapsing expectedly. However, if you are to straighten the wall in question, you will need to have the wall anchors tightened or adjusted a few times. Professionals will do this slowly to prevent causing more damage to the wall.

The Benefits of Foundation Repair

Here the biggest benefits of foundation repair:

Increased Market Value  

Structural damage can dramatically decrease your home’s resale value. Repairing your foundation can ensure your home’s value stays where you want it. It reassures future homeowners that it’s safe for them and their families. 

Enhanced Structural Safety 

Foundation problems compromise your home’s safety. Repairing it will ensure your entire home’s structural integrity for decades to come. Our experts can inspect your home for signs of damage and provide solutions that will enhance its structural integrity.

Improved Living Environment 

Foundation cracks can let more moisture into your home, causing mold and mildew growth. A particularly toxic strain of mold, black mold, can be extremely harmful to people with respiratory issues. It can also cause allergies, and in some cases, asthma attacks. By repairing the cracks in your walls and making sure your foundation is stable and secure, you can literally breathe easier.

Common Foundation Repair Tips & Mistakes 

Helpful Tips for Foundation Repair: 

  • Beware of Tree Roots: Expansive tree root systems can compromise your foundation. As they grow, they may butt up against your foundation and crack it. Try to plant any new trees or landscape features at least 20 feet away from the perimeter of your home. This will ensure your foundation is safe from damage.
  • Properly Grade Your Yard: It’s important to keep the grading of your landscape in mind. You want a positive grade. Positive yard grade sends water away from your home. Negative grade sends it back towards it. Positive grade can save you from massive foundation problems.
  • Maintain Your Gutters: Cleaning out your gutters is an important part of keeping your foundation from cracking. Your gutters prevent rainwater from diving straight down onto the perimeter of your home. Clogged gutters mean potential water damage. A little bit of routine outdoor housekeeping can save you a lot of money.

Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Ignoring High Energy Bills: By not fixing a foundation crack you could see higher energy bills. Humid air is far more difficult for your HVAC system to manage. Your AC and heating work to maintain your home’s internal temperature. If you remove the moisture, your system doesn’t work as hard, meaning lower energy bills.
  • Ignoring Standing Water: Water near your foundation can threaten it. As the soil gets wet, it expands and begins to push against the foundation walls. This pressure cracks it, and water penetrates it. Install downspouts properly, and extend them at least 8 feet away from the foundation walls so that the water does not accumulate.
  • Ignoring Musty Smells: Not only can animals and insects get into your basement, but mold particles can as well. When mold grows, you get that musty basement smell. Mold loves nothing more than a damp, dark space. This can mean worsening allergies or illnesses down the road.

Providing Expert Foundation Repair in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia & North Carolina

Pennsylvania trusts JES for reliable basement waterproofing, crawl space, foundation, and concrete repair services. Contact us for a free inspection!  

Top Cities We Serve


JES Foundation Repair service area map of the Mid-Atlantic region.

Our Locations

Baltimore

8361 Town Center Ct
Nottingham, MD 21236

Fredericksburg

311 Central Rd.
Suite 2-02
Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Hampton Roads & NE NC

2569 Quality Ct
Virginia Beach, VA 23454

Northern VA & DC

7940 Gainsford Ct.
Bristow, VA 20136

Richmond

309 Quarles Rd
Ashland, VA 23005

Southwest Virginia / Roanoke

2033 Cook Dr.
Salem, VA 24153

Western Virginia

456 Old Courthouse Rd
Appomattox, VA 24522

Winchester

45 W Boscawen St,
Winchester, VA 22601