10 best foundation repair companies in Cary, North Carolina

The foundation plays a key role in your home's structural integrity. Without a solid foundation, everything in your house can fall apart, resulting in unsafe living conditions for you and your family. Cracks in or around the outside of your home are a clear sign of foundation problems that demand quick examination from a foundation repair expert.

Repairing foundation damage as soon as possible is essential to preventing future issues, including cracking walls, a sinking foundation or roof damage. You'll save money and headaches down the road by resolving the problem while it's still minor.

Buyers are also hesitant to purchase a property with foundation issues as they don't want to take on the expense of foundation repair and the potentially unsafe conditions. When it comes time to sell, your home's market value will increase if you address your foundation problems. Find a foundation repair company in Cary immediately when your foundation is at risk.

Find the best local foundation repair companies for you in Cary

Look for foundation repair companies in Cary 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 clues your foundation needs repair. Some are more urgent than others.

• Visible foundation cracks: Cracks in your foundation are usually your first sign of issues and something you can catch early on if you routinely check the concrete and support framing under and around your home.
• Skewed windows or doors: If your foundation is shifting the walls away from their original position, windows and doors may become unaligned with their jambs, or detach from their frames.
• Cracks in walls or ceiling: Stay alert for diagonal cracks appearing in your walls, particularly if they start to show up more regularly. Cracks in the ceiling may also signify foundation problems.
• Uneven floors: Your floors will become uneven as your foundation does. You may notice high and low spots or a bouncy feeling as you walk across the floor.
• Moisture in the crawl space: Mold, mildew and moisture in your crawl space are clear indicators of impending foundation issues, including a sinking foundation.
• Loose or stuck doors: When a damaged foundation moves, spaces open in the walls, causing doors to catch when closed or not shut correctly.
• Cracked chimney: If your chimney appears broken or starts to lean, your foundation may already be compromised.

What services do foundation repair companies offer?

Foundation repair companies offer a wide selection of services from leak repair to underpinning. Even if you don't know what precisely is wrong with your foundation, a professional will assess it and suggest a solution. Here are some common services they offer:

• Leak repair: The service provider's first step is to find the cause of the leak. It could be coming from a window, especially in the basement, or the result of improper water redirection or plumbing problems. Once they find the cause, the repair specialist will isolate the leak, fix the issue and provide waterproofing solutions.
• Crack repair: To prevent moisture from seeping through the soil and into your foundation, a contractor can close cracks. Which sealant the professional uses is based on the crack's orientation, location and dimensions. After cleaning the crack, a repair pro may use a silicone-based sealer that endures varying weather conditions without cracking or bubbling over time. Epoxy or polyurethane fillers are also strong choices.
• Underpinning: When your foundation is failing or you need additional space above the foundation, service providers often perform underpinning, also known as leveling or piering. This is a comprehensive procedure that involves lowering the footing onto more stable ground to add support and depth to an existing foundation. The method requires removing soil from the area and replacing it with concrete to create a new foundation. Costs vary based on the technical expertise required, the number of piers added and the procedure.
• Stabilization: If your foundation has started to sink, the best service for preventing additional damage may be stabilization. This process supports your foundation, maintaining its position and stopping further movement. It's less invasive and more cost-effective than leveling. The one drawback is that it won't level out your home.
• Waterproofing: Waterproofing is among the most effective ways to prevent future issues with your foundation. Interior waterproofing enables water to access your crawl space or basement before using a sump pump to divert it. However, exterior waterproofing blocks water from entering at all by adding a moisture barrier, speed strip, dimple board and proper drainage, such as a footer drain. You will want to choose the exterior method if you use your basement as a spare room, office or living space.

Questions to ask foundation repair pros in Cary

Fixing your foundation is critical, so to make sure you get the best fit for your foundation repair job, ask companies you're vetting the following questions.

Is your company properly licensed and insured?

Credible foundation repair companies should possess licenses and insurance to safeguard you and your home. Foundation repair professionals in North Carolina are required to have either a Building or Residential Contractor License from the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.

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

Ask the service provider if they understand what is causing the problem and what they think is the right remedy. If they recommend raising your slab, ask how high and what tools they will use. If the estimated cost is too high, you can ask if stabilization is an option instead. To get a comprehensive understanding of your options, ask about the pros and cons of each technique. You can always get a second opinion from another provider if you don't agree with the answer or feel they aren't being thorough enough.

How much will my foundation repairs cost?

Ask prospective companies for a quote. If there are different options, get quotes in writing detailing everything from supplies to labor hours. We recommend getting multiple estimates for price comparison, as most respectable experts will offer them for free. The overall cost depends on the severity of your foundation issues and how far the problem reaches.

Do you offer financing options?

Your service provider may offer payment plans or a percentage off if you pay in cash. Check with your repair specialist to see if they offer financing directly, or if they partner with a third-party company that has financing plans available.

What kinds of warranties do you offer?

Talk with your contractor about their warranty options to understand the protection you'll have after the repairs. Some companies offer a lifetime or limited lifetime warranty covering various costs, such as materials, for a defined period once the work is finished.

How long will the repairs take?

The duration of foundation repairs can vary from a single day to two months depending on how severe the damage is.

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, depending 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?

You can usually remain inside your home while foundation repairs are carried out. You may have to stay elsewhere if the service provider cuts into your floors or ceiling, such as when installing interior supports.

How can you protect the foundation of your Cary home?

If you think your home has foundation issues, it's best to speak with a professional. That being said, you can take preventative measures to prevent future issues.

Protecting your foundation when building a new home

If you're constructing a new house, ask your technician about their foundation installation process. The lot should be prepared by clearing it and ensuring fresh, level topsoil is in place before your foundation pro pours the concrete. Your contractor should make sure there's adequate drainage to stop water from pooling on or around the concrete slab. Proper curing of your concrete is critical 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

The most effective method to shield your foundation from future damage is through regular inspections. During these inspections, check for any breaking, cracking or shifting in or around your concrete slab. Examine your walls and framings for similar kinds of damage, as these commonly indicate foundation trouble.

Protect your foundation by clearing away dirt and debris from its base as buildup can trap moisture and encourage mold growth. Proper air circulation around your home is essential, so cut back any plants growing against it. Additionally, make sure that trees and their roots are kept at a safe distance from your home to avert potential damage.

Foundations in Cary are at risk for foundation shrinkage and cracking due to the extreme heat during the summer. To help prevent concrete shrinkage, you should water your concrete slab during the hottest summer months.

As a final step, don't forget to perform routine gutter cleanings. Gutters redirect rainwater away from your home's foundation and siding, stopping pooling water that can cause 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.