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Unlike homes with basements or crawl spaces, a slab floor is solid concrete with no structural wood flooring system. For homes with this type of floor, soft soil or bad compaction is almost always the culprit. Once the soil is compromised, the slab will shift, and this creates the sagging or sinking effect. Pressure from that shift will sometimes crack the slab itself, causing high and low places in the flooring. To fix this type of damage, you need concrete slab repairs.
Water is a common contributor to floor sagging, as moisture moves through the soil surrounding your foundation. In Hampton, coastal rainfall patterns, shallow groundwater, and older drainage layouts can allow water to reach the sill plate, wood beams, and floor joists. These wooden components sit directly on the foundation and form the framework that supports your floor. When moisture remains in contact with the wood, deterioration begins, leading to structural weakness and the need for sagging floor repair in Hampton, Virginia.
Standing water is not always necessary for damage to occur. High humidity, common throughout the Tidewater region, can gradually impact the beams and joists beneath your home. Wood absorbs moisture from humid air, which softens the material over time. As the boards weaken, they compress under the weight of the home, causing floors to settle and sag.
Insects are another frequent cause of damage to wooden floor systems. Termites are common in this area, and powderpost beetles are also present but often difficult to detect. These insects lay eggs inside wooden framing, and the larvae feed on the wood as they develop. Over time, this internal damage can significantly reduce the strength of the floor structure.
Human error can also contribute to sagging floors, especially in older Hampton homes that have been renovated or updated. Plumbing, electrical, or HVAC installations may require changes to framing. When joists or even the main support beam are cut or notched, weak points are created that can eventually crack, split, or sag.
Building standards have changed over the years, and many older Hampton homes were constructed before current codes were in place. Support beams may be undersized or support posts spaced too far apart, placing added stress on the structure and increasing the likelihood of sagging.
Homes more than 50 years old may also contain materials that were not designed to last indefinitely. Builders often used wood shims to level framing during construction. Over time, these shims compress or decay. At Acculevel, we replace failing shims with steel shims to prevent compression and improve load distribution.
Technology and modern living can also affect floor systems. Before pressure treated lumber became widely used, untreated wood was common and more vulnerable to moisture and insect damage. Renovations that add heavy materials such as tile floors, stone countertops, pool tables, or hot tubs place extra stress on the structure. These changes can accelerate the need for sagging floor repair in Hampton, Virginia.
Contact Acculevel! We provide free estimates on sagging floor repairs.
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