10 best foundation repair companies in Carteret, New Jersey

The foundation is a critical part of your house. If your foundation isn't solid and reliable, it can cause your house to become unstable, resulting in unsafe living conditions for you and your family members. Cracks in or around the outside of your home suggest foundation problems that require urgent attention from a foundation repair expert.

The average annual rainfall of 47 inches in Carteret can cause moisture risks for your foundation. As heavy rain continuously falls surrounding your home, the soil absorbs the water and expands. This swelling soil base can put pressure on your foundation's concrete, potentially causing the development of cracks and holes.

Buyers are also hesitant to purchase a house with foundation troubles as they don't want to take on the financial burden of foundation repair and the potentially dangerous conditions. Your home's market value will rise when you decide to sell if you address your foundation issues. Get in touch with a foundation repair company in Carteret as soon as possible when your foundation is at risk.

Find the best local foundation repair companies for you in Carteret

Look for foundation repair companies in Carteret with at least 3.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews and a good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB). Use the filters below to help you find the right company for your needs.

What are some signs you need foundation repair?

There are various hints your foundation needs repair. Some are more urgent than others.

• Visible foundation cracks: Cracks in your foundation are usually the first sign of trouble. You can catch them early if you routinely check the concrete and support framing under and around your house.
• Loose or stuck doors: When a compromised foundation tilts, spaces form in the walls, causing doors to stick when closed or not shut properly.
• Cracks in walls or ceiling: Be on the lookout for diagonal cracks in your walls, especially if they start to surface more regularly. Ceiling cracks can also point to foundation problems.
• Uneven floors: As your foundation becomes uneven, so will your floors. They may have high and low spots or seem springy as you walk on them.
• Cracked chimney: When your chimney shows signs of cracking or begins to tilt, it can indicate that your foundation is already in trouble.
• Skewed windows or doors: Windows and doors that become unaligned with their jambs or detach from their frames could be a sign that your foundation is dragging the walls away from their initial position.
• Moisture in the crawl space: Finding mold, mildew and moisture in your crawl space usually signals future foundation problems, especially a sinking foundation.

What services do foundation repair companies offer?

If you're unsure of the specific issue with your foundation, a professional from a foundation repair company in Carteret will assess it and advise you on the best solution. These companies provide a variety of common services, such as:

• Leak repair: The provider's first step is to determine the cause of the leak. It could be coming from a window, especially in the basement, or the result of plumbing problems or improper water redirection. Once they find the cause, the repair professional will isolate the leak, fix the problem and supply waterproofing solutions.
• Crack repair: To prevent moisture from coming in through the soil and into your foundation, a professional can fill cracks. Which sealant the professional uses is based on the crack's location, dimensions and orientation. After cleaning out the crack, a repair pro may use a silicone-based sealer that holds up to varying weather conditions without cracking or bubbling over time. Epoxy or polyurethane fillers are also good options.
• Underpinning: When your foundation is failing or you need additional space above the foundation, service providers usually use underpinning, also known as leveling or piering. This is an in-depth process that involves lowering the footing onto more stable ground to add support and depth to an existing foundation. The technique requires removing soil from the area and replacing it with concrete to create a new foundation. Costs vary based on the procedure, the number of piers added and the technical expertise required.
• Stabilization: If your foundation has started to sink, stabilization may be the best option for preventing further damage. This approach supports your foundation, maintaining its position and preventing any additional movement. It's more budget-friendly and less invasive than leveling. The only drawback is that it will not level out your home.
• Waterproofing: Interior and exterior waterproofing are some of the best ways to stop future foundation issues. Interior waterproofing redirects water that has entered your basement or crawl space with a sump pump. Exterior waterproofing blocks water from entering at all by adding a dimple board, speed strip, moisture barrier and proper drainage, such as a footer drain. Use the exterior method if your basement serves as a spare room, office or living space.

Questions to ask foundation repair pros in Carteret

Repairing your foundation is critical, so you need to get the right professional for the job. To determine your best fit, ask potential foundation repair providers the following questions.

Is your company properly licensed and insured?

Reputable foundation repair companies should be insured and licensed to protect you and your home. A Home Repair Contractor License from the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance is required for foundation repair professionals working in New Jersey. They must also be registered with the Division of Consumer Affairs.

What do you think is the cause of the problem, and how do you recommend fixing it?

Ask the foundation repair company if they know what is causing the problem and what they think is the best fix. If raising your slab is the solution they suggest, ask what tools they'll need for the job and how high they'll raise it. You can also ask if stabilization is a possibility if the price estimate is too high. To get a thorough understanding of your choices, ask about the advantages and disadvantages of each solution. If you don't think the answer they give you is thorough enough, or you don't like it, you can always get a second opinion from a different contractor.

How much will my foundation repairs cost?

Ask prospective companies for an estimate. Make sure you get quotes in writing that detail everything from materials to labor hours, especially if there are different options. Often, companies will offer quotes for free. Get a few quotes so you can compare prices. The extent of the damage is the major factor that will determine the overall cost of the project.

Do you offer financing options?

Your service provider may offer financing options, such as payment plans, directly or through a third-party company. The foundation repair provider may also offer a percentage off if you pay in cash.

What kinds of warranties do you offer?

Ask about a company's warranty options to know what kind of coverage you'll have after the repairs are finished. They may offer a lifetime or limited lifetime warranty that covers specific costs, such as materials used, for a certain number of years.

How long will the repairs take?

The extent of the damage greatly impacts how long a foundation repair job will take, but projects typically last between one and two months depending on the service.

In the absence of additional issues, crack and leak repairs may be completed within a couple of days, while waterproofing projects can fluctuate between one day and a week, based on the scale of the job. Expect pier repairs to take three to four weeks, and underpinning to require four to six weeks.

Can I remain in my home while foundation repairs are being completed?

While foundation repairs are in progress, you can often stay inside your home. You may have to leave if the technician cuts into your floors or ceiling, such as when they're installing interior supports.

How can you protect the foundation of your Carteret home?

If you think your home has foundation problems, it's best to speak with a professional. That being said, you can be proactive with certain strategies to protect your home's foundation against future damage.

Protecting your foundation when building a new home

If you're constructing a new house, ask your contractor about their foundation installation process. The area should be prepared by clearing it and ensuring fresh, level topsoil is in place before your foundation expert pours the concrete. Additionally, proper drainage is necessary to keep water from pooling on or near the concrete slab. The concrete has to cure properly after it's poured. Based on the setting standards of the products used and the pour's width, the curing process may require up to 28 days.

Protecting the foundation of an existing home

Routine inspections are the most effective way to protect your home's foundation. inspect, it's crucial to keep an eye out for evidence of breaking, cracking or shifting in or around your concrete slab. Examine your walls and framings for similar damage, as these commonly indicate foundation damage.

Clear away dirt and debris from around your foundation's base because buildup can trap moisture and facilitate mold that threatens your foundation. To promote sufficient air circulation, prune plants that are growing against your home, and ensure that trees and their roots stay at a safe distance from your home's foundation.

The fairly mild summers in Carteret mean that you don't have to be too worried about concrete shrinkage due to heat. Still, you may want to water your concrete slab during a particularly hot summer to keep it hydrated.

As a final step, regularly clean your gutters. Gutters help decrease standing water by redirecting rainwater away from your home's foundation and siding, which stops water damage.

Our methodology for selecting foundation repair companies

The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.