Foundation Issues in Birmingham, AL? Tips from the Local Experts

Birmingham’s unique mix of soil, climate, and home styles creates real challenges when it comes to foundation health. At AFS, we’ve helped thousands of local homeowners spot problems early, stop damage in its tracks, and protect their homes for the long haul.

If you’re dealing with foundation issues—or want to prevent them—here are the expert tips you need, straight from the Birmingham team that knows your soil, weather, and home styles best.

Tip #1: Monitor for Early Signs of Foundation Trouble

Foundation damage doesn’t always start with a big, obvious crack. It often begins with small, subtle signs—things that are easy to ignore at first.

What to look for:

These signs usually mean the soil beneath your home is shifting and the foundation is settling. As your home moves, damage inside and outside the structure occurs.

Expert Insight from AFS:

In many Birmingham neighborhoods—especially older areas like Crestwood, East Lake, and Five Points South—small foundation issues often go untreated for years. By the time we’re called in, cracks have spread, doors won’t shut, and floor joists are starting to warp. 

We always recommend getting a professional inspection as soon as you notice a change. It’s the best way to avoid bigger, more expensive repairs down the road.

Tip #2: Prevent Foundation Cracks and Settling With Proper Grading

The slope of your yard plays a big role in how water flows—or doesn’t flow—away from your foundation. Poor grading can cause water to collect near the base of your home, slowly weakening the soil and leading to uneven settling.

How to prevent it:

Expert Insight from AFS:

Our team often works on homes in suburbs like Hoover and Trussville where attractive landscaping is hiding poor grading. Homeowners don’t realize water is pooling just beneath the surface until signs of settling appear. We help homeowners identify hidden issues and take the necessary steps to fix them.

Tip #3: Address Crawl Space Moisture Before It Affects Your Foundation

Crawl spaces may be out of sight, but in Birmingham’s humid climate, they’re a key part of your home’s health. A damp, unsealed crawl space can cause wood rot, sagging floors, and even attract pests—all of which can impact your foundation’s stability over time.

Steps to take:

Expert Insight from AFS:

We see this issue frequently in areas like Vestavia Hills and Homewood, where older homes often have vented crawl spaces. These vents were once thought to help with airflow, but they actually invite in warm, moist air that condenses and lingers. Crawl space encapsulation, when done properly, transforms the crawl space into a dry, stable environment that protects the entire structure above.

Tip #4: Keep Water Out of Your Basement With Interior Drainage and Waterproofing

Birmingham’s red clay soil holds onto water after heavy rain, which can create pressure against your foundation. Over time, this moisture often finds its way inside—especially into basements. That’s where interior drainage and basement waterproofing come in.

How to keep water under control:

These solutions work inside your home to manage moisture where it matters most—under and around your foundation.

Expert Insight from AFS:

In areas like Irondale and Center Point, many homes sit on slopes or near natural runoff paths. After heavy rain, water often collects next to the basements of these homes. 

All that moisture puts pressure on the walls, causing wall cracks in many cases. This allows water to leak inside the basement and cause issues like high humidity, mold growth, and flooding.

Our basement waterproofing solutions are designed to keep water out for good. They provide long-term protection from the inside out.

Tip #5: Schedule a Professional Foundation Inspection

Even if you’re not sure something’s wrong, a professional foundation inspection can give you clarity and peace of mind. It’s the best way to understand what’s happening beneath your home and what, if anything, needs to be addressed.

What a good inspection includes:

Expert Insight from AFS:

We’ve inspected thousands of homes across the Birmingham metro area. In many cases, we’ve been able to catch foundation or moisture issues early—before they turned into major structural repairs. 

Since we’re local, we know the red flags to watch for in each neighborhood’s soil type and home design. It’s free, it’s easy, and it can save homeowners thousands down the road.

Why Birmingham Homeowners Consistently Choose AFS

AFS has been protecting Birmingham homes for over 20 years. We understand this city—from the challenges of building on clay soil to the toll taken by Alabama’s rain-heavy seasons. We don’t offer cookie-cutter fixes. 

We build solutions that are engineered for your home, right here in your community. With AFS, you get:

• A highly trained, local team with industry leading resources
• Lifetime guarantees and affordable financing options
• Results you can see—and trust
  

Let’s Protect Your Home—Start With a Free Expert Inspection

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Foundation Repair FAQs

Will my homeowner’s insurance cover wind damage to my foundation?

Coverage varies by policy; check with your insurance provider to understand what types of wind damage are covered under your policy, as some may require additional windstorm insurance.

Will crawl space jacks fix all my foundation problems?

While jacks can stabilize specific areas, they are usually part of a broader foundation repair strategy. It’s important to address all underlying issues.

How can I tell if a crack is due to foundation problems?

Signs that a crack may be related to foundation issues include the crack being wider than 1/4 inch, the presence of stair-step or horizontal cracks, doors and windows that stick or won’t close, and cracks that continue to grow over time.

Resources

Are Foundation Cracks Normal?: When to Worry & How to Repair

One of the questions we see homeowners as all the time is "are foundation cracks normal?". The short answer is sometimes, but that doesn't mean they're "safe".

8 Signs of Foundation Issues

As a homeowner, you should know that foundation issues are bad for your entire home. You can stay on top of foundation issues by understanding the problem signs associated with them.

Mike Rowe Learns Foundation Repair

Episode 1: Mike Rowe Learns Foundation Repair Join Mike as he teams up with Groundworks for one more dirty job, diving into the world of foundation repair! In this episode of Go Below with Rowe, we take Mike back to his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland, to show him the real issues homeowners face with a settling foundation. With […]

Ted Dryce

Content Writer

Ted is an SEO Content Writer who has been with Groundworks since 2021. He’s covered home repair topics ranging from crawl space encapsulation to regional soil conditions. When he’s not working, Ted is performing improv comedy and working on his own creative projects.