Sinking corner, cracked tile or a door that will not shut? Get a free slab inspection and a written price from a local crew, usually with 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.
Your slab is supposed to be flat. When it is not, the house shows it.
A concrete slab is a big flat pad that sits right on the ground. Many homes around Savannah are built this way, especially newer ones. When the ground under one part of the slab gets soft or washes away, that part sinks a little. The walls and doors above follow it.
The good news is that most sinking slabs can be supported and lifted back toward level without tearing out the floor. The free inspection shows how much it moved, where, and why.
What we can help you fix
A corner of the house that dropped, with cracks in the brick near it.
Cracked tile that runs in a line across the floor.
Doors that stick, will not latch, or swing open on their own.
Gaps over doors or where walls meet the ceiling.
A garage floor or patio that sank and now tips toward the house.
Cracks in the slab you can feel through the carpet.
Water that pools against the slab edge after rain.
Why slabs settle around Savannah
Wet, soft ground. The Chatham County comprehensive plan describes the county as flat, with poorly drained soils and shallow water tables. USDA surveys show water 12 to 30 inches down for months each year in common Ocilla soils, and at or just above the surface at times in Pelham soils on low flats. A slab sits right on that ground. When the soil under one edge stays soaked, it can lose strength and let that edge settle.
Sand that washes out. Sandy soil does not swell much, but it moves with water. Runoff from a roof, a broken downspout, a leak under the slab or flood water flowing past the house can carry sand out from under the edge. Tropical Storm Debby dropped about 10 inches of rain on Savannah in August 2024, the kind of storm that tests every slab edge in town.
Fill under new homes. Much of the newer building around Savannah happened fast. Pooler grew from 19,140 people in 2010 to 25,711 in 2020. Richmond Hill grew almost 80 percent in the same ten years, and Rincon grew too. When land is cleared and filled for new homes, how well that fill was packed matters for years. The county plan also warns about neighborhoods built on old estuary fill near the marsh.
Soft marsh soil. Near the marsh, the ground can turn into soft clay like Capers soil, which is mapped in Chatham County and drains very slowly. Homes close to the marsh edge on the islands can settle more than homes on higher ground.
How a local crew fixes a slab
Steel push piers
Steel pipe is pushed down in sections under the edge of the slab until it reaches firm ground that can hold the house. Then the crew lifts the house onto the piers. Steel piers can go deep through soft, wet soil.
Helical piers
Helical piers screw into the ground with blades like a big auger. They work well in soft or sandy soil and for lighter parts of a house, like a porch or an addition.
Inside piers
If the middle of the slab sank, the crew may need piers inside the house. They cut a small hole in the floor, dig under the slab, set the pier, then patch the floor.
Slab jacking for flat work
Sunken patios, walkways, driveways and garage floors can often be raised by pumping a cement mix or foam under them. This is faster and cheaper than piers, but it is not usually the right fix for a house that is still settling.
Stopping the water
The crew will look at where water goes around your house. Gutters, downspout extensions and grading that slopes away from the slab are often part of the plan. See drainage correction.
Flood zone homes
Many slab homes on the islands and near the marsh sit in a mapped flood zone. In unincorporated Chatham County, the flood ordinance adds up all permitted repairs over five years. If they reach 50 percent of the home's market value, the home has to meet current flood rules. Most slab repairs are far below that line, but a crew should know where your home stands before a big job.
What a good slab inspection covers
Floor level readings across the whole house, room by room.
A map of cracks inside and outside.
A check of doors and windows that bind.
A look at gutters, downspouts and grading on every side.
Questions about leaks, water bills and when you first noticed the problem.
A written plan showing how many piers, what kind and where.
What moves the price
These are typical ranges from the Fixr and HomeBlue cost guides, not a quote. The number of piers moves the price most. Inside piers cost more than outside piers. The crew has to cut the floor and patch it. See the full cost guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my slab is sinking?
Common signs are a corner of the house that looks lower, cracked tile in a line, doors that stick or swing open on their own, gaps over doors, and stair-step cracks in brick outside. A floor level reading across the house shows it for sure.
My house is only a few years old. Can the slab already be settling?
Yes. New homes sit on soil that was cleared, filled and packed. If fill was not packed well, or if water runs to one side of the house, part of the slab can settle in the first years. Check your builder warranty first if the home is new.
Can a plumbing leak under the slab cause settling?
Yes. In sandy Savannah soil, a leak under the slab can wash soil away and leave a void. If your water bill jumped or you hear water running with everything off, tell the crew. A plumber can test the lines.
What is slab jacking?
It means raising a sunken slab section by pumping a material under it, such as a cement mix or a foam. It works well for patios, walkways, driveways and garage floors. A house slab that sank is more often fixed with piers.
Do I need to move out during slab repair?
Usually not. Most piers go in from the outside along the edge of the house. Inside piers mean cutting through the floor, so the crew will tell you which rooms to clear.
Will lifting my slab crack anything?
Lifting can open or close cracks in drywall and tile. Good crews lift slowly and watch the house as they go. Ask what patching is included in your price.
Book your free slab inspection
A slab that is settling usually keeps settling until the cause is fixed. Call (912) 771-1041 or send the short form. A local crew will call you back, usually the same day, and you will get the price in writing before any work starts.