Foundations in Southeastern Ohio By Little’s Landscaping & Excavation
Little's Landscaping & Excavation-Serving Athens, Meigs, Gallia & Jackson Counties

Building or repairing a foundation? Whether you're in Athens, Jackson, Gallia, or Meigs County, Little’s Landscaping & Excavation is your trusted local expert—from excavation and drainage to sealing, underpinning, and full foundation rebuilding.
🏗️ Why Foundations Matter in Our Area
Foundations are the literal bedrock of any structure. In southeastern Ohio, homeowners face soil challenges—including expansive clay, shifting shale, and water runoff—that can threaten structural integrity. Proper grading, drainage, and strong foundational support are key to long-term stability.
If your foundation suffers from cracks, bowing, settlement, or moisture intrusion, early action saves headaches and repair costs down the road.
🛠️ Little’s Foundation Services
Little’s Landscaping & Excavation specializes in:
🔧 Foundation Repair & Construction
From rebuilding damaged footings to installing reinforced concrete bases, we offer full foundational construction and stabilization services across all four counties.
🧱 Basement Wall Repairs & Sealing
We repair cracks, stabilize bowing walls, and seal foundations to deter water intrusion and mold—essential for homes in wet floodplain and hillside zones.
🌱 French Drain Installation
Proper drainage is crucial. We install interior and exterior French drains, foundation drains, surface drains, and downspout extensions to keep groundwater away from your base.
🚧 Excavation & Site Preparation
Our heavy machinery crews handle grading, compaction, soil prep, and excavation—laying the groundwork for stable structures, patios, or drainage systems.
🧱 Concrete Services & Slab Jacking
Sunken sidewalks or patios? We lift and level concrete slabs using slab jacking—avoiding full replacements and saving you money.
🏡 Service Area: Athens, Jackson, Gallia & Meigs Counties
We serve a broad region: from Athens County’s hillside terrain to the floodplain-prone areas near Marietta, and across Jackson, Gallia, and Meigs where soil and drainage issues vary widely. We know regional soil behavior and moisture challenges first-hand.
⚠️ Common Issues & How We Fix Them
Foundation Settlement & Wall Cracks
Symptoms like bowed walls, sticking doors, or drywall cracks often trace back to settlement. In such cases, underpinning with helical or push piers, along with drainage improvements, is a reliable fix.
From the field:
"I had a home built without footings… differential sinking … quotes ranged wildly … structural engineer was essential."
Moisture Intrusion & Waterproofing
Poor drainage often leads to water seepage, mold growth, and wall efflorescence. Installing perimeter drains and foundation sealing effectively blocks moisture.
One DIYer noted:
“If there is no perimeter drain and foundation is buried, you might need a perimeter foundation drain installed.”
Basement Bowing or Cracks
Tools like carbon fiber straps or wall anchors may be appropriate for minor bowing. But always consult a qualified structural engineer first.
🌦️ Soil & Climate Challenges in SE Ohio
- Athens County sits on shale and sandstone layers that can shift or slip when wet.
- Clay-rich soils prevalent across the region expand when wet and shrink when dry, destabilizing foundations.
- Heavy rains and poor grading worsen water damage—making professional drainage solutions essential.
✅ Recommended Approach: Evaluation to Execution
- Start with an Assessment
Structural and soil evaluations are critical before starting repairs. An initial engineer consultation ($400–$2,000) helps clarify needs and avoid unnecessary work. - Install Grading & Drainage
Before fixing walls, we ensure water sheds away from the structure—often the most effective preventative measure. - Structural Repair or Reconstruction
Based on diagnostics, we use underpinning, wall repairs, or foundation reconstruction coupled with drainage corrections. - Protective Sealing & Maintenance
We apply waterproof coatings, maintain clean gutters, extend downspouts, and regrade sod or soil over time.
🧾 Project Examples in Our Service Area
Residential Fix (Gallia County)
After French drain installation and wall crack repair, a homeowner saw improved dry basement space and no visible cracks in the following season.
Excavation & Build (Athens County hillside)
On a sloped property, we excavated for a new footing, installed drainage, backfilled with gravel, and poured a reinforced foundation that meets today’s code.
🔍 Why Choose Little’s Landscaping & Excavation?
- 💪 Local Knowledge – We understand southeastern Ohio’s soil and weather dynamics.
- 🛠️ Turnkey Service – From excavation and drainage to foundation repair and concrete work, we do it all.
- ✅ Licensed, Insured & Experienced – We handle permits, engineering recommendations, and provide coverage for every job.
- 💡 Honest Advice – We don’t upsell—expect clear recommendations and escalation only when needed.
📣 Case Studies & Lessons Learned
Reddit users emphasize caution:
“Structural engineers recommended a $400 consult—but foundation companies quoted $24K–$45K.”
"Engineers working with foundation contractors can bias advice—get a truly independent opinion first."
We follow that ethos: get independent assessments and offer only needed, effective repairs.
🚀 How to Get Started
- Call us for a free consultation and initial inspection quote.
- Schedule a site visit so we can evaluate current drainage, foundation condition, and history.
- Receive a detailed proposal outlining scope: drainage work, structural repair, waterproof sealing, and optional concrete leveling.
- Let our crew proceed with transparent reporting, backed by documented guarantees.
🧭 Final Thoughts: Foundation Health = Home Stability
Foundations aren’t one-size-fits-all—especially in eastern Ohio's shifting soils. Whether you're coping with cracking, sinking, waterproofing needs, or planning new build excavation, Little’s Landscaping & Excavation delivers skilled solutions rooted in local expertise.
Don’t guess about your foundation's health. Contact us today and let’s build—or repair—on a solid footing.
Call:
(740) 508‑6265
Service Areas: Athens, Jackson, Gallia & Meigs Counties, Ohio
Website:
Little’s Landscaping & Excavation