Is Your Slab Foundation Sinking or Settling in Winston Salem, NC?

From vibrant city life to charming historic sites and scenic countryside, Winston-Salem offers a little bit of everything. But beneath all that beauty lies a common issue in many homes—slab foundation settlement.

Our local soil conditions are often to blame, making foundation settlement in Winston Salem a frequent concern for homeowners. While we can’t change the ground beneath us, we can take the right steps to repair and protect our homes.

If you own a home in Winston-Salem, it’s crucial to know what causes foundation damage, how to spot the warning signs, and the best slab foundation repair methods to restore and safeguard your home. Let’s get started!

Understanding Slab Foundations

When constructing a home, options like basements and crawl spaces are available, but slab foundations remain a top choice in Winston-Salem and nearby areas. Often called slab-on-grade foundations, these are made by pouring concrete directly onto the ground.

Like any foundation type, slab foundations offer several benefits and drawbacks:

Pros

Typically more cost-effective and faster to build
Plumbing can be placed beneath the slab
Resists moisture-related problems, such as mold and pests

Cons

No additional storage (like with a basement)
May develop cracks or settle over time
Plumbing repairs are more challenging

How Do I Know If My Home Has a Sinking Foundation?

Not every crack or creak in your home is a cause for alarm, but certain signs point to foundation settlement in Winston Salem. Use the following checklists during an interior and exterior walkthrough of your home to spot early trouble.

Minor Signs to Monitor

These signs may not need immediate repairs but should be monitored over time:

Thin, stable cracks under ¼ inch that aren’t expanding
Doors or windows that stick slightly, often with changes in weather
Mild floor unevenness or subtle sloping
Small, non-growing cracks in tile or grout
Rainwater that briefly pools near the foundation but evaporates

Red Flags That Could Signal Structural Trouble

These issues may point to a deeper foundation problem that requires prompt attention:

Noticeable foundation cracks (vertical, horizontal, or stair-step patterns)
Cracks forming in interior drywall or exterior bricks
Floors that are noticeably uneven or feel bouncy
Gaps between the floor and walls or between walls and the ceiling
Doors or windows that are consistently misaligned or hard to open
Water pooling repeatedly around the home’s perimeter

A settling foundation isn’t always obvious at first. If something feels off, it’s best to contact a local foundation expert for a detailed inspection and peace of mind.

What Might Cause Slab Foundation Settlement in Winston Salem?

Considering the numerous problem signs, you might wonder what’s behind the damage. A sinking foundation and related issues in Winston-Salem can stem from many factors, including:

Soil Composition

The region’s soils range from sandy loam to moisture-sensitive clay. Sandy soils are prone to erosion, while clay expands when wet and shrinks when dry. This soil movement can put pressure on your foundation and lead to cracking or shifting.

Improper Soil Compaction

If the ground wasn’t compacted correctly during construction, it may settle unevenly under the weight of the home. This settlement often results in sinking, cracking, or foundation movement, especially in newer homes.

Freeze-Thaw Impact

Even in relatively mild winters, fluctuating temperatures cause water in the soil to freeze and expand, then thaw and contract. This repeated cycle creates gradual shifts in the soil that can destabilize your slab foundation over time.

rainwater collecting near a foundation slab

Heavy Rain

Winston-Salem’s frequent rainfall can saturate the ground around your home. Without proper drainage, the pressure from pooled water may cause cracks in the foundation and allow moisture intrusion.

Poor Drainage Systems

Broken or blocked gutters, damaged or short downspouts, and poorly graded landscaping allow water to collect near your foundation. Over time, this constant exposure can lead to increased soil pressure and structural damage.

Tree Root Intrusion

Trees may enhance your property’s aesthetics, but tree roots can be a hidden threat. In dry conditions, roots pull moisture from the soil beneath your foundation, causing it to shrink and create gaps that lead to foundation settlement.

Soil Erosion

Poor drainage, heavy rain, and sandy soil can erode the ground that supports your slab. This erosion undermines the foundation’s stability, leading to uneven settling and cracks.

Plumbing Leaks

Slab foundations often have plumbing lines running underneath. If these pipes leak, they can saturate specific areas of soil, creating uneven moisture levels that result in localized shifting and damage.

By understanding what’s causing the issue, you’ll be better equipped to address foundation settlement in Winston Salem early, before it turns into costly repairs.

DIY Checklist for Slab Foundation Maintenance and Early Detection

While you can’t change the climate or the soil around your home, you can perform a few simple steps to help prevent slab foundation settlement issues:

Keep gutters and downspouts clean to prevent pooling water near the foundation.
Ensure your yard is properly graded, allowing water to flow away from the base of your home
Watch for new or growing cracks in floors and walls.
Fix small, non-structural cracks early with sealant to stop them from spreading.
Keep an eye on indoor humidity levels to reduce moisture-related concerns.
Open and close doors and windows regularly to check for stiffness or misalignment.

Concerned about a sinking foundation in Winston-Salem? Tar Heel Basement Systems provides expert inspections and customized repair solutions to help protect your home for years to come.

What’s the Best Way to Repair Slab Foundation Settlement?

When it comes to fixing a settling foundation slab, no single solution works for every home. The most effective approach depends on your home’s unique situation, and in many cases, combining multiple methods delivers the best results.

After completing a free, detailed inspection, our team might recommend one or more of the following slab foundation repair techniques:

Foundation Piers

If your home’s foundation is settling or shifting, foundation piers offer a strong, lasting fix. They help stabilize the structure and, in many cases, can even lift sunken areas back toward their original position.

Slab piers are specifically designed for homes with concrete slab foundations. These supports are inserted through small openings in the slab and driven deep into stable soil layers beneath the home, providing a solid foundation without the need for full replacement. Depending on the structural needs, we may also use push piers or helical piers to reinforce stability.

Polyurethane Foam Injection

For lighter concrete surfaces or specific foundation sections, polyurethane foam offers a modern, efficient solution. Commonly used on areas including driveways and sidewalks, this method can also help address minor slab foundation issues.

The foam is injected through small, penny-sized holes and expands underneath the slab, filling gaps and curing quickly. It’s a low-mess, long-lasting alternative to older techniques like mudjacking and causes minimal disruption to your property.

Winston-Salem’s Trusted Slab Foundation Repair Specialists

Tar Heel Basement Systems inspector standing by a house and a company car

Foundation settlement in Winston Salem can be overwhelming, but waiting to act can make the damage worse and more costly to repair. The earlier you address the warning signs, the better you can safeguard your home and your family.

That’s where Tar Heel Basement Systems comes in. With a deep understanding of local soil conditions and weather patterns, we deliver custom foundation repair solutions designed specifically for homes in the area.

Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to schedule a free inspection and estimate. Our experienced team is here to help restore your foundation and your peace of mind.

Schedule Free Inspection

Sinking Foundation Slab FAQs

Can I prevent a sinking foundation?

While some factors contributing to a sinking foundation are beyond your control, proper maintenance and proactive measures can help minimize the risk. Regularly inspect your home for signs of foundation issues and address any drainage or soil moisture problems promptly.

Can a settled slab foundation be repaired?

If your slab foundation is settling and cracking, it’s not necessarily beyond repair. Depending on the damage and condition of the foundation and underlying soil, slab piers or polyurethane injections can be used to stabilize the problematic area. Contact Tar Heel Basement Systems today for a free inspection and solutions customized to your home’s repair needs.

What sets slab piers apart from other foundation repair solutions?

Slab piers are designed specifically to stabilize and potentially lift slab foundations, offering a targeted solution that can address settlement issues effectively. They work by transferring the weight of your home to deeper, stable soil layers or bedrock, bypassing the unsettled and compromised soil that caused the issues in the first place.

Related Resources

What Is a Slab Foundation?

Concrete slab foundations are common, especially in the South. They have many pros and cons and present different challenges.

Cracks in Foundation: Knowing When to Worry in North Carolina

Seeing foundation cracks in your home? Learn the difference between cosmetic issues and foundation cracks to be concerned about.

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Erosion and Shifting Foundations in Raleigh, NC? Tips from the Pros

Worried about shifting soil in Raleigh? Learn about cracks in foundations, house settling, and when to call a foundation expert.

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A Complete Guide to North Carolina House Foundation Repair

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Holly Richards-Purpura

Content Writer

Holly is a Content Writer for Groundworks who has written and edited web content for the foundation services industry for 10 years. With a background in journalism, her passion for the written word runs deep. Holly lives in Columbus, OH, with her husband. Along with educating homeowners, she also has a big heart for the Big Apple.