3 best foundation repair companies in Gillette, Wyoming

Your foundation supports your home's stability and durability. If your foundation isn't strong and reliable, it can cause your house to deteriorate, resulting in dangerous living conditions for you and your family members and pets. Cracks in or around your home's exterior are an indicator that something is wrong with your foundation and should be examined immediately by a foundation repair expert.

The cold weather in Gillette make foundations in the area prone to moving and breaking when built-up groundwater gets cold enough to freeze and solidify.

Buyers are also reluctant to purchase a home with foundation issues as they don't want to deal with the financial burden of foundation repair and the potentially dangerous conditions. When it comes time to sell, your home's market value will increase if you fix your foundation issues. Locate a Gillette foundation repair company as soon as possible if you suspect your foundation is in jeopardy.

Find the best local foundation repair companies for you in Gillette

Look for foundation repair companies in Gillette 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 signs your foundation needs maintenance, each with their own level of urgency.

• Visible foundation cracks: Cracks in your foundation are typically your first sign of trouble and something you can catch early on if you regularly check the concrete and support framing under and around your home.
• Uneven floors: Your floors will become unlevel as your foundation does. You may notice varying heights in different areas or a bouncy feeling as you walk across the floor.
• Cracked chimney: If your chimney seems damaged or starts to lean, it can signify that your foundation is already showing structural damage.
• Skewed windows or doors: If your foundation is shifting the walls away from their original location, windows and doors may become unaligned with their jambs, or pull apart from their frames.
• Loose or stuck doors: Spaces appear in the walls as a broken foundation moves, making doors stick when closed or not shut fully at all.
• Cracks in walls or ceiling: Be on the lookout for diagonal cracks in your walls, especially if they start to appear more regularly. Ceiling cracks can also indicate foundation issues.
• Moisture in the crawl space: Finding mildew, moisture and mold in your crawl space usually indicates future foundation issues, including a sinking foundation.

What services do foundation repair companies offer?

Foundation repair pros offer a variety of services from leak repair to stabilization. Even if you don't know what exactly is wrong with your foundation, a pro will take a look at it and suggest a solution. Here are some common services they offer:

• Leak repair: As leaks can have several causes, such as poor water redirection or plumbing problems, a service technician's first step is to find the cause of the leak. Then, they will repair the issue and give you waterproofing solutions.
• Crack repair: To prevent moisture from rising through the soil and into your foundation, a professional can fill cracks. Which sealant the contractor uses is based on the crack's orientation, dimensions and location. 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.
• Stabilization: If your foundation is sinking, stabilization may be the best solution for preventing further damage. This service supports your foundation, maintaining its position and stopping any additional movement. It's more economical and less invasive than leveling. The one downside is that it will not level out your house.
• Underpinning: Underpinning, also known as leveling or piering, is an extensive process that adds support to your foundation by lowering the footing onto more stable ground. Professionals use this process to add depth to a preexisting foundation. It's usually needed when a foundation is failing, or the use of the building has changed and additional space is required either on top of the foundation or in a basement. Soil is removed from the area and replaced by concrete, creating a brand-new foundation. Prices vary based on the number of piers added, the process and the technical skill required.
• Waterproofing: One of the best ways to prevent future issues with your foundation is waterproofing. Interior waterproofing uses a sump pump to redirect water that has entered your crawl space or basement. Exterior waterproofing uses a speed strip, moisture barrier, dimple board and proper drainage, such as a footer drain to prevent water from getting in at all. If you use your basement as a spare room, office or living space, you will want to use the exterior method.

Questions to ask foundation repair pros in Gillette

Maintaining your foundation is essential, so to make sure you get the best fit for your foundation repair needs, ask companies you're choosing between the following questions.

Is your company properly licensed and insured?

Credible foundation repair companies should possess licenses and insurance to protect you and your home. While licensing isn’t legally required in Wyoming, you should focus your search on professionals with a contracting license, as they’ll be performing important and, often, expensive work on your home.

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

Find out if the service provider understands what is causing the problem and what they think is the best remedy. If they suggest raising your slab, ask how high and what tools they will use. If the price estimate is too high, you can ask if stabilization is a possibility instead. Discuss the possible solutions with your repair provider to make sure you have a comprehensive understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of each. If you don't feel like the answer they give you is thorough enough, or you don't like it, you can always get a second opinion from another provider.

How much will my foundation repairs cost?

Ask for an estimate of how much the repairs will cost you. For projects where you have to choose between multiple options, make sure you ask for quotes in writing detailing everything from supplies to labor hours. Most reputable businesses will give you a free estimate, and it's a good idea to get a few for price comparison. How much your foundation repair service will cost depends on the severity of your foundation issues and how far the problem has spread.

Do you offer financing options?

Your service provider may offer installment plans or a discount if you pay in cash. Check with your repair expert 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?

Find out about a company's warranty options so you'll understand what coverage 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 fixed period following the completion of the job.

How long will the repairs take?

How long foundation repair will take is influenced by the severity of the damage, but projects can range from one day to two months.

Fixing cracks and leaks may only take a few days if no additional damage is present. Waterproofing projects can span one day to a week, based on the scope of the work. Pier repairs typically take three to four weeks, whereas underpinning can take between four and 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 underway. You may have to relocate if the contractor cuts into your floors or ceiling, such as when installing interior supports.

How can you protect the foundation of your Gillette home?

Although seeking advice from an expert is crucial if you suspect you already have foundation problems, there are preventative measures you can take to better safeguard your home's foundation from future damage.

Protecting your foundation when building a new home

If you're in the process of constructing a new home, have a conversation with your contractor about what steps they will take during foundation installation. Before pouring concrete, the area should be cleared and have fresh, level topsoil spread over the ground. Additionally, adequate drainage is necessary to keep water from pooling on or near the concrete slab. After your concrete is poured, it should cure fully. The total curing process can take up to 28 days based on the specific material used and the width of the pour. Your service professional should follow the setting standards specific to your slab.

Protecting the foundation of an existing home

The best approach to shield your foundation from future damage is through regular inspections. As you inspect your concrete slab, watch closely for signs of breaking, shifting or cracking in or near the slab. Make sure you take a look at your walls and framings too. Similar damage to these areas can also signal foundation issues.

Keep your foundation free from dirt and debris since it can trap moisture and cause mold growth. Sufficient air circulation around your home is critical, so trim any plants growing against it. Additionally, make sure that trees and their roots are kept at a safe distance from your home to stop potential damage.

Concrete shrinkage due to heat is not a big concern in Gillette because the summers are relatively mild. Still, if your area experiences a very hot season, you should water your concrete slab to help it retain moisture.

As a final step, routinely clean your gutters. Gutters redirect rainwater away from your house's foundation and siding, stopping pooling water that can lead to 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.