10 best foundation repair companies in Houston, Texas

The foundation plays a key role in supporting your home. A deteriorating foundation can cause your house to fall apart, resulting in unsafe conditions for you and your family and pets. Cracks in or around the outside of your home strongly indicate foundation problems that demand immediate attention from a foundation repair professional.

Fix foundation damage as soon as possible to stop further problems, including cracking walls, roof damage or a sinking foundation. You'll save money and headaches over time by addressing the issue while it's still minor.

Not only are homes with foundation problems dangerous, but they also have a harder time selling, as buyers don't want to take on the expense of foundation repair or the challenge of related issues. Your home's market value will rise when you decide to sell if you fix your foundation issues. Contact a foundation repair company in Houston immediately when your foundation is in danger.

Find the best local foundation repair companies for you in Houston

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

• Visible foundation cracks: Cracks in your foundation are commonly the first hint of an underlying problem. They can be detected early if you routinely inspect the concrete and support framing under and around your house.
• 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.
• Uneven floors: Your floors will become uneven as your foundation does. You may notice high and low spots or a springy feeling as you walk across the floor.
• Cracks in walls or ceiling: Watch for diagonal cracks in your walls, particularly if you start to see more than usual. Your foundation may also be damaged if you see cracks in the ceiling.
• Moisture in the crawl space: If you find moisture, mildew and mold in your crawl space, it suggests you might have foundation issues especially a sinking foundation.
• Loose or stuck doors: As a broken foundation shifts, gaps form in the walls, which can cause doors to get stuck when closed or not shut properly.
• Cracked chimney: If your chimney appears cracked or starts to lean, your foundation may already be compromised.

What services do foundation repair companies offer?

Foundation repair companies provide a wide selection of services. Even if you don't know precisely what is wrong, a pro will assess your foundation and advise you on the best solution. These are some typical services offered by foundation repair companies in Houston:

• Leak repair: The provider's first step is to find the cause of the leak. It could be coming from a window, particularly 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, resolve the issue and offer waterproofing solutions.
• Crack repair: Sealing cracks stops moisture from seeping through the soil underneath. The crack's position, size and angle determine which sealant the professional uses. After cleaning the crack, the repair pro may use a silicone-based sealer that doesn't crack or bubble over time from temperature fluctuations, or an epoxy or polyurethane filler.
• Underpinning: When your foundation is failing or you need additional space above the foundation, contractors often use underpinning, also known as leveling or piering. This is a heavily involved process that involves lowering the footing onto more supportive ground to add support and depth to an existing foundation. The approach 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 is sinking, stabilization may be the best solution for stopping further damage. This service supports your foundation, keeping it in place and preventing any additional movement. It's more budget-friendly and less invasive than leveling. The only disadvantage is that it will not level out your home.
• Waterproofing: Waterproofing is among the most effective methods to avoid future issues with your foundation. Interior waterproofing allows water to access your crawl space or basement before using a sump pump to channel it. However, exterior waterproofing stops water from getting in 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 Houston

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

Is your company properly licensed and insured?

Trustworthy foundation repair companies must be licensed and insured to protect you and your property. While licensing isn’t legally required in Texas, you should focus your search on pros 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 can identify what is causing the problem and what they think is the right 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 find out if stabilization is a possibility if the estimated price is too high. Discuss the possible solutions with your repair expert to make sure you have a comprehensive understanding of the benefits and drawbacks 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 a different contractor.

How much will my foundation repairs cost?

Ask for an estimate of how much the repairs will cost you. Make sure you get quotes in writing that break down everything from materials to labor hours, especially if there are multiple options. We recommend getting several quotes for price comparison, as most licensed experts will offer them for free. How much your foundation repair project will cost depends on the severity of your foundation issues and how far it has spread.

Do you offer financing options?

Some companies may offer financing options, including installment plans or a discount if you pay in cash. Financing offers may also be available through external companies that partner with your foundation repair company.

What kinds of warranties do you offer?

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

How long will the repairs take?

Foundation repairs can take anywhere from one day to two months, with the degree of the damage largely determining the timeline.

Fixing cracks and leaks may only take a few days if no additional damage is present. Waterproofing projects can last from one day to a week, depending on the scope of the work. Pier repairs often 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 often stay inside your home while foundation repairs are carried out. You may have to leave if the service provider has to cut into your floors or ceiling, such as for installing interior supports.

How can you protect the foundation of your Houston home?

While you should always seek professional advice if you think you already have foundation issues, you can take steps to protect your home's foundation against future issues.

Protecting your foundation when building a new home

If you're building a new house, ask your service provider about their foundation installation process. Your contractor will place fresh, level topsoil over the cleared area before concrete is poured for the foundation. Your contractor should make sure there's adequate drainage to stop water from gathering on or around the concrete slab. Complete curing of your concrete is critical once it's poured. The total curing process can take up to 28 days depending on the specific products used and the width of the pour. Your service professional should comply with the setting standards specific to your slab.

Protecting the foundation of an existing home

Routine inspections are the most effective way to safeguard your home's foundation. When you perform these assessments, you must check for evidence of shifting, breaking or cracking in or around your concrete slab. Check your walls and framings for similar kinds of damage, as these often suggest foundation damage.

Keep your foundation free from dirt and debris buildup since it can hold moisture and lead to mold growth. Prune plants against your home to allow for proper air circulation, and ensure trees and their roots are kept at a safe distance from your home.

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

As a final step, regularly clean your gutters. Gutters redirect rainwater away from your foundation and siding, preventing standing 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.