Find out if that crack is just cosmetic or a sign your house is moving. Get a free crack check and a written price from a local crew. Most people get a call back the same day.
We connect property owners in Savannah and nearby areas, including Historic District, Victorian District, Thomas Square and Midtown, Ardsley Park, Isle of Hope and Thunderbolt, with one independent local foundation repair specialist.
What it costs
Typical published ranges for Savannah. The contractor's written estimate is the price, and the inspection is free.
Work
Typical range
Crack check and written estimate
Free
Seal or fill a crack
$200 to $1,000
Small jobs in Savannah, cracks and basic waterproofing
$1,900 to $3,700
Raise a sunken slab section (slab jacking)
$500 to $1,900
Foundation repair in Savannah, if the house is moving
Almost every house has a few cracks. Concrete shrinks as it dries. Wood frames move a bit with the seasons. Plaster cracks with age. Most of those are cosmetic.
But some cracks are the first sign of a bigger problem. Part of the house may be sinking. Or a support under it may be failing. The trick is to tell the two apart. A free crack check does that. A local crew looks at the crack and checks your floors for level. Then they tell you if it needs a patch or a real fix.
What we can help fix
A crack in the slab that you can feel through the carpet or see under tile.
Cracked floor tile in a line across a room.
A crack over a door or window that keeps getting longer.
Stair-step cracks in the brick outside, often near a corner.
Cracks in stucco that run at a slant from a window corner.
A crack in a brick pier or wall under a raised house.
Gaps where the wall meets the ceiling or the floor.
A crack that leaks water into a slab or crawl space after a storm.
Why cracks show up here
Wet ground and sand that moves. The Chatham County plan says the county is flat. The soil drains poorly, and the water sits close to the top. USDA soil maps show water just 12 to 30 inches down for months in Ocilla soil. Sandy soil can wash out from under a slab corner or a pier. Rain, a leaking pipe or a flood can all do it. The part of the house over that gap drops, and the wall above cracks.
Soft soil near the marsh. Marsh soils like Capers are soft clay that drains very slowly. Capers is mapped in Chatham County. Homes near the marsh or on old fill can settle more than homes on high, sandy ground.
Old brick and old mortar. The Historic District is full of houses built from Savannah grey brick, says the Historic Savannah Foundation. Some of the oldest buildings on the Georgia coast used tabby. Tabby is a mix of lime, sand, water, oyster shell and ash. It could be poured for foundations and walls, says the New Georgia Encyclopedia. Old brick, old mortar and tabby can crack as the ground shifts. They need gentle repair.
Heat and storms. Long, hot summers, sudden heavy rain and hurricanes all put the ground through big swings. Each swing can open a small crack a little more.
What kind of crack is it?
Most often cosmetic
Thin cracks in a slab that stay flat.
Small cracks at the corners of drywall or plaster that do not grow.
Short straight cracks in a garage slab or driveway.
Cracks that showed up once and have not changed in a year.
Worth a look soon
Cracks wider than about a quarter inch.
Cracks that are wider at one end than the other.
Cracks where one side sits higher than the other.
Stair-step cracks in brick.
Cracks that keep growing, or new cracks after a big storm.
Cracks that come with doors that stick or floors that slope.
Here is a simple trick. Put a pencil mark at each end of the crack. Write the date next to it. If the crack grows past the marks in a few months, the house is likely still moving.
How a crew fixes cracks
Filling the crack
For cracks in concrete, the crew can push in a liquid that fills the crack and hardens. Epoxy glues the crack back together. Foam stays a bit soft and is often used to stop leaks.
Sealing and patching
Small cosmetic cracks in a slab, stucco or wall can be sealed and patched. That keeps water and bugs out.
New mortar in brick
Cracked mortar lines in brick can be cleaned out and filled with new mortar. On old brick, the new mortar should be soft. It should match the old brick so it does not harm it.
Fix the cause first
If the crack came from movement, a patch alone will not last. The crew may suggest foundation repair first. Or they may suggest crawl space repair or drainage fixes. Once the house is stable, they patch the crack.
Old homes need a light touch
Many Savannah homes sit in historic districts. These include the Historic District, the Victorian District, Mid-City and Cuyler-Brownsville. The city tells owners there to check with the Historic Preservation Office before work. Crack repair on brick you can see from the street may need a look. A crew that knows Savannah homes will plan for that.
What moves the price
These are typical ranges from the Fixr and HomeBlue cost guides, not a quote. The price depends on how long the crack is and whether it leaks. It also depends on whether the house is still moving. If movement is the cause, fixing it is most of the cost. See the full cost guide.
Frequently asked questions
Are thin cracks in my slab normal?
Yes, thin cracks in concrete are very common. Many come from the concrete shrinking as it dried. If they stay thin and flat and do not grow, they are most often cosmetic. Watch them. Have them checked if they get wider.
When is a crack serious?
Watch for cracks wider than about a quarter inch. Watch for cracks that keep growing, or where one side sits higher than the other. Cracks that come with sticking doors or sloping floors matter too. Have those checked soon.
What does a stair-step crack in brick mean?
It is a crack that follows the mortar lines like stairs. Most often it means part of the wall moved. The ground under one corner may have settled. In Savannah, common causes are water washing sand from under a corner, or a weak old pier.
Can I just fill the crack myself?
You can fill a small cosmetic crack, and it may help keep water out. But if the house is still moving, the crack will come back. The free check tells you if it is moving.
Can old Savannah grey brick be fixed with new mortar?
Old brick is often softer than new brick. Very hard new mortar can harm it over time. A crew that works on old Savannah homes should match the mortar to the brick. In historic districts, check with the city's Historic Preservation Office about outside work.
Will my crack repair have a warranty?
Many crews give a warranty on crack fills against leaks for a set time. Get it in writing. Ask if it still counts when the crack came from movement that was not fixed.
Get your crack checked for free
You do not have to guess if a crack is serious. Call (912) 771-1041 or send the short form. A local crew will call you back, most often the same day. The check is free, and the price comes in writing before any work starts.