10 best foundation repair companies in Danbury, Connecticut

The foundation plays an important role in supporting your home. A compromised foundation can cause your house to deteriorate, leading to unsafe conditions for you and your loved ones and pets. Cracks in or around your home's exterior are an indicator that something is wrong with your foundation and should be inspected immediately by a foundation repair expert.

Danbury gets an average of 50 inches of rain each year, which introduces moisture risks to your foundation. When heavy rain pools around your home, the soil absorbs the water and swells. The swelling soil base can put pressure on your foundation's concrete, leading to the formation of cracks and holes.

Buyers are also reluctant to purchase a house with foundation problems as they don't want to deal with the cost of foundation repair and the potentially dangerous conditions. Conversely, resolving your home's foundation problems will raise its value when you're ready to put it on the market. Find a foundation repair company in Danbury immediately when your foundation is at risk.

Find the best local foundation repair companies for you in Danbury

Look for foundation repair companies in Danbury 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 maintenance, each with varying levels of severity.

• Visible foundation cracks: Cracks in your foundation are often the first indication of trouble. You can catch them early if you routinely check the concrete and support framing around and under your house.
• Skewed windows or doors: Windows and doors that misalign with their jambs or detach from their frames could be a sign that your foundation is shifting the walls away from their initial location.
• Moisture in the crawl space: If you see mildew, mold and moisture in your crawl space, it signals you might have foundation problems including a sinking foundation.
• Loose or stuck doors: When a compromised foundation moves, spaces open in the walls, causing doors to catch when closed or not close correctly.
• Cracked chimney: When your chimney shows signs of cracking or begins to lean, it can indicate that your foundation is already deteriorating.
• Cracks in walls or ceiling: Stay vigilant 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: When your foundation starts to shift and become uneven, your floors will follow suit. They may have raised and sunken areas or feel bouncy.

What services do foundation repair companies offer?

Foundation repair professionals offer a variety of services from leak repair to underpinning. Even if you don't know what specifically is wrong with your foundation, a pro will take a look at it and recommend a solution. Here are some typical services they offer:

• Leak repair: First, the service technician will find the cause of the leak, as it may be the result of incorrect water redirection or plumbing issues, or coming from a window, particularly in the basement. Then, the repair professional will isolate the leak, fix the issue and provide waterproofing solutions.
• Crack repair: Professionals can close cracks to prevent moisture from seeping through the soil underneath. Which sealant the contractor uses depends on the size of the crack, the location and the orientation. After cleaning out the crack, a repair pro may use a silicone-based sealer that endures changing weather conditions and won't crack or bubble over time. They can also use an epoxy or polyurethane filler.
• Underpinning: When your foundation is failing or you need additional space above the foundation, experts typically use underpinning, also known as leveling or piering. This is a heavily involved procedure that involves lowering the footing onto more supportive ground to add strength 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 procedure and the number of piers added.
• Stabilization: If your foundation has started to sink, stabilization may be the best solution for preventing further damage. This technique supports your foundation, keeping it in place and preventing any additional movement. It's more economical and less disruptive than leveling. The only disadvantage is that it will not level out your home.
• Waterproofing: Waterproofing is one of the best ways to avoid future issues with your foundation. Interior waterproofing permits water to access your crawl space or basement before using a sump pump to redirect it. However, exterior waterproofing stops 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 use the exterior method if you use your basement as a spare room, office or living space.

Questions to ask foundation repair pros in Danbury

Ask potential foundation repair technicians the following questions to get the ideal fit for your project.

Is your company properly licensed and insured?

Trustworthy foundation repair companies must be licensed and insured to protect you and your property. Foundation repair professionals performing work valued at more than $200 must have a Home Improvement Contractor License from the Department of Consumer Protection. In addition, these professionals should have at least $20,000 in liability insurance.

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

Ask the service provider if they can identify what is causing the problem and what they think is the ideal solution. If raising your slab is the method 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 quoted cost is too high. To get a thorough understanding of your options, ask about the advantages and disadvantages of each technique. Get a second opinion if you don't agree with the answer or think they aren't being detailed enough.

How much will my foundation repairs cost?

Ask potential contractors for an estimate. If there are multiple options, get quotes in writing detailing everything from supplies to time on site. Most trusted businesses will give you a free estimate, and it's a good idea to get multiple for price comparison. The overall cost will vary depending 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 discount if you pay in cash. Check with your repair provider 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?

Ask about a company's warranty options so you'll understand what protection you'll have once the repairs are complete. They may provide a lifetime or limited lifetime warranty that covers specific expenses, such as materials, for a set period following the completion of the job.

How long will the repairs take?

The timeline of foundation repairs can range from a single day to two months based on how bad the damage is.

Crack and leak repairs can take a few days to fix if there isn't additional damage. Sealing can take anywhere from one day to a week, based on the extent of the project. A pier repair commonly takes three to four weeks, while underpinning can take four to six weeks.

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

In most cases, you can stay in your home during foundation repair work. However, if the technician needs to cut into your ceiling or flooring, such as when adding interior supports, you may have to temporarily relocate.

How can you protect the foundation of your Danbury 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 problems.

Protecting your foundation when building a new home

If you're building a new house, ask your contractor about their foundation installation process. Your contractor will place fresh, level topsoil over the cleared land before pouring the concrete for the foundation. Additionally, proper drainage is key to keep water from accumulating on or near the concrete slab. Once poured, your concrete must cure properly. Based on the setting standards of the products used and the pour's thickness, the curing process may take up to 28 days.

Protecting the foundation of an existing home

Performing consistent inspections is the most reliable way to safeguard your home's foundation. As you inspect your concrete slab, watch closely for any breaking, cracking or shifting in the slab itself or the surrounding area. Examine your walls and framings for similar types of damage, as these often indicate foundation issues.

Clean off dirt and debris from around your foundation's base as buildup can trap moisture and breed mold that threatens your foundation. To promote proper air circulation, trim plants that are growing against your home, and ensure that trees and their roots are kept away from your home's foundation.

Concrete shrinkage due to heat is not a big concern in Danbury because the summers are moderately warm. Although, if your area goes through an extreme heat wave, consider watering your concrete slab to ensure it stays moist.

As a final step, routinely clean your gutters. Gutters help prevent water damage by channeling rainwater away from your home's foundation and siding, where it can build up.

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.