4 best foundation repair companies in Lafayette, Louisiana

Your foundation supports your house's structural integrity. If your foundation isn't strong and reliable, it can cause your house to crumble, resulting in dangerous living conditions for you and your family members. Exterior cracks on or around your home are a major red flag that your foundation has issues and needs to be inspected right away by a foundation repair professional.

The average annual rainfall of 57 inches in Lafayette introduces moisture risks for your foundation. As heavy rain continuously falls surrounding your home, the soil absorbs the water and swells. This swelling soil base can put pressure on your foundation's concrete, which may result in the development of cracks and holes.

Not only do foundation problems make your home unsafe, but they also make it harder to sell. Prospective buyers are reluctant to deal with the expense of foundation repair or related problems. Your home's value will increase when you decide to sell if you fix your foundation issues. If your foundation is in danger, contact a foundation repair company in Lafayette as soon as possible.

Find the best local foundation repair companies for you in Lafayette

Look for foundation repair companies in Lafayette 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 a range of hints your foundation needs repair. Some are more urgent than others.

• Visible foundation cracks: The first sign of a problem with your foundation is cracking, which you can spot early on by regularly checking the concrete and support framing below and around your house.
• 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 find cracks in the ceiling.
• Uneven floors: Your floors will become uneven as your foundation does. You may notice varying heights in different areas or a bouncy feeling as you walk across the floor.
• Moisture in the crawl space: Discovering mold, mildew and moisture in your crawl space usually signals future foundation troubles, especially a sinking foundation.
• Loose or stuck doors: When a failing foundation shifts, spaces open in the walls, causing doors to stick when closed or not shut correctly at all.
• 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.
• Cracked chimney: Your foundation may be damaged if your chimney is cracked or starts to lean.

What services do foundation repair companies offer?

Foundation repair companies provide a wide selection of services. Even if you don't know exactly what is wrong, a professional will take a look at your foundation and advise you on the best solution. These are some typical services offered by foundation repair companies in Lafayette:

• Leak repair: The technician's first step is to locate 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 pro will isolate the leak, resolve the issue and give you waterproofing solutions.
• Crack repair: Sealing cracks prevents moisture from coming in through the soil underneath. The crack's angle, position and size 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: Underpinning, also known as leveling or piering, is a comprehensive process that adds strength to your foundation by lowering the footing onto more stable ground. Service providers use this method to add depth to a preexisting foundation. It's typically required when a foundation is failing, or the use of the building has changed and additional space is needed either on top of the foundation or as a basement. Soil is removed from the area and replaced by concrete, creating a brand-new foundation. Costs vary based on the number of piers added, the technical skill required and the process.
• Stabilization: Stabilization can stop further damage if your foundation has already begun to sink. This process supports your foundation by keeping it in place and stopping additional movement. It won't level out your home, but it's more cost-effective and less invasive than leveling.
• Waterproofing: One of the best ways to prevent future issues with your foundation is waterproofing. Interior waterproofing uses a sump pump to divert water that has come into your crawl space or basement. Exterior waterproofing uses a dimple board, moisture barrier, speed strip and proper drainage, such as a footer drain to block 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 Lafayette

The right professional is essential when maintaining your foundation. To pinpoint your best fit, ask potential foundation repair technicians the following questions.

Is your company properly licensed and insured?

Trustworthy foundation repair companies must be insured and licensed to protect you and your property. However, licenses are only required for foundation repair companies in the state of Louisiana if the job is valued at more than $7,500. For jobs between $7,500 and $75,000, professionals must have a Home Improvement License, while jobs worth more than $75,000 require a Residential License. Both licenses are issued by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.

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

To ensure a contractor is the right choice, ask if they can identify the source of the problem and what they think is the best solution. If raising your slab is the solution they suggest, find out 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 complete understanding of your options, ask about the pros and cons of each method. Get a second opinion if you don't agree with the answer or think they aren't being thorough enough.

How much will my foundation repairs cost?

Ask for a quote of how much the repairs will cost you. For projects where you have to choose between different choices, make sure you ask for quotes in writing detailing everything from materials to time on site. Often, companies will offer estimates for free. Get multiple quotes so you can compare prices. How much your foundation repair project will cost varies based on the severity of your foundation issues and how far the problem has spread.

Do you offer financing options?

Some companies may offer financing options, such as installment plans or a percentage off 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?

Find out 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?

Foundation repairs can take anywhere from one day to two months, with the extent 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, based on the scope of the work. Pier repairs usually 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 typically stay inside your home while foundation repairs are in progress. You may have to relocate if the contractor cuts into your floors or ceiling, such as for installing interior supports.

How can you protect the foundation of your Lafayette home?

If you think your home has foundation damage, it's best to consult a professional. That being said, you can be proactive with certain strategies to protect your home's foundation against 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 service provider pours the concrete. You should also have proper drainage to keep water from accumulating on or around the concrete slab. The concrete needs to cure completely after it's poured. 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

To protect your home's foundation, perform routine inspections. inspect, it's crucial to look out for evidence of shifting, breaking or cracking in or around your concrete slab. Similar damage on your walls and framings commonly signals foundation damage, so don't forget to check them too.

Protect your foundation by cleaning off dirt and debris from its base because buildup can hold moisture and encourage mold growth. Proper air circulation around your home is essential, so prune any plants growing against it. Additionally, make sure that trees and their roots are kept away from your home to avert potential damage.

In Lafayette, the intense heat can cause foundation shrinkage and cracking. To prevent this, consider watering your concrete slab from time to time, particularly during the hot summer months.

Finally, keep your gutters clean. Gutters help prevent standing water by guiding rainwater away from your 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.