10 best foundation repair companies in Lyndhurst, New Jersey

The foundation plays a key role in supporting your home. Without a strong foundation, everything in your home can fall apart, leading to dangerous living conditions for you and your loved ones. Cracks in or around the outside of your home suggest foundation problems that demand immediate action from a foundation repair specialist.

Foundations in Lyndhurst are vulnerable to shifting and cracking due to the cold weather in the area. When built-up groundwater gets cold enough to freeze and solidify, it can cause significant damage to your foundation.

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 hazard of related problems. Your home's market value will increase when you decide to sell if you fix your foundation problems. Find a Lyndhurst foundation repair company as soon as possible if you think your foundation is in jeopardy.

Find the best local foundation repair companies for you in Lyndhurst

Look for foundation repair companies in Lyndhurst 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 different levels of importance.

• Visible foundation cracks: Cracks in your foundation are usually your first sign of problems and something you can catch early on if you routinely check the concrete and support framing around and under your home.
• Moisture in the crawl space: If you find moisture, mildew and mold in your crawl space, it suggests you might have foundation problems such as a sinking foundation.
• Uneven floors: When your foundation starts to unlevel, your floors will follow suit. They may have raised and sunken areas or feel springy.
• Skewed windows or doors: A shifting foundation can cause your walls to tilt, leading to your doors or windows separating from their frames or becoming misaligned with their jambs.
• Cracks in walls or ceiling: Stay alert for diagonal cracks appearing in your walls, particularly if they start to show up more often. Cracks in the ceiling may also suggest foundation problems.
• Cracked chimney: If your chimney appears cracked or starts to tilt, your foundation may already be failing.
• Loose or stuck doors: When a broken foundation shifts, spaces form in the walls, causing doors to jam when closed or not close properly.

What services do foundation repair companies offer?

If you're unsure of the exact problem with your foundation, a professional from a foundation repair company in Lyndhurst will assess it and instruct you on the best solution. These pros perform a variety of typical services, such as:

• Leak repair: The service technician's first step is to determine 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 professional will isolate the leak, resolve the problem and give you waterproofing solutions.
• Crack repair: To prevent moisture from rising through the soil and into your foundation, a professional can fill cracks. The type of product used is based on the crack's orientation, location and dimensions. After cleaning the crack, a repair pro may apply a silicone-based sealer that holds up to varying weather conditions without cracking or bubbling over time. Epoxy or polyurethane fillers are also possibilities.
• Stabilization: If your foundation is sinking, stabilization may be the best solution for preventing further damage. This approach supports your foundation, maintaining its position and stopping any additional movement. It's more economical and less invasive than leveling. The only disadvantage is that it will not level out your home.
• Underpinning: Also referred to as leveling or piering, underpinning is a process that strengthens your foundation by lowering the footing onto more stable ground. Contractors use this technique to increase the depth of an existing foundation. It's usually used when a foundation is failing or when the building's use has changed, requiring additional space either above the foundation or in a basement. The process involves removing soil from the area and replacing it with concrete to create a new foundation. Costs vary depending on the technical specialty required, the method and the number of piers added.
• Waterproofing: Waterproofing is among the most effective ways to avert future issues with your foundation. Interior waterproofing allows water to come into your crawl space or basement before using a sump pump to channel it. However, exterior waterproofing blocks water from entering at all by adding a dimple board, moisture barrier, speed strip 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 Lyndhurst

Maintaining your foundation is important, so you need to get the right expert for the job. To determine your best fit, ask potential foundation repair professionals the following questions.

Is your company properly licensed and insured?

Reputable foundation repair companies should be insured and licensed to safeguard you and your home. A Home Repair Contractor License from the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance is required for foundation repair professionals working in New Jersey. They must also be registered with the Division of Consumer Affairs.

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 right fix. If they think raising your slab is the best option, ask what tools they'll need for the job and how high they'll raise it. You can also find out if stabilization is an effective alternative if the price estimate is too high. Be sure to ask about the advantages and disadvantages of each solution, so you have a thorough understanding of your choices. If you don't like the answer or don't think they are being thorough enough, you can always get a second opinion from another company.

How much will my foundation repairs cost?

Ask for an estimate of how much the repairs will cost. If there are multiple alternatives, get quotes in writing detailing everything from supplies to labor hours. Often, professionals will offer quotes for free. Get multiple quotes so you can compare prices. How much your foundation repair project will cost is dependent on the severity of your foundation issues and how far the problem has spread.

Do you offer financing options?

Your service provider may offer payment 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 group that has financing plans available.

What kinds of warranties do you offer?

Ask what warranties the company offers so you know what kind of coverage you can expect once the repairs are finished. They may offer a lifetime or limited lifetime warranty, covering specific costs, such as materials used, for a specific number of years after the job is finished.

How long will the repairs take?

The extent of the damage significantly impacts how long a foundation repair job will take, but projects typically last between one and two months depending on the service.

Fixing cracks and leaks may only take a few days if no additional damage is present. Waterproofing projects can take from one day to a week, depending 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?

Foundation repair services are usually safe and unintrusive enough that you can comfortably remain inside your home throughout the project. You may have to leave or relocate if the technician has to cut into your floor or ceiling, which is usually only needed for more involved jobs such as installing interior supports.

How can you protect the foundation of your Lyndhurst home?

It's essential to contact a professional if you believe you're currently experiencing foundation problems. However, you can also take proactive steps to protect your home's foundation from damage in the future.

Protecting your foundation when building a new home

For those constructing a new home, talk with your contractor about their foundation installation process. The area should be prepared by clearing it and ensuring fresh, level topsoil is in place before your contractor pours the concrete. Adequate drainage must also be established to prevent water from gathering on or around the concrete slab. Complete curing of your concrete is critical after it's poured. Your contractor should follow the setting standards for the material used and the width of the pour, which may take up to 28 days.

Protecting the foundation of an existing home

To protect your home's foundation, perform regular inspections. As you perform these assessments, stay alert for signs of breaking, cracking or shifting around or within the concrete. Examine your walls and framings for similar damage, as these commonly indicate foundation problems.

Protect your foundation by clearing away dirt and debris from its base as buildup can trap moisture and cause mold growth. To promote sufficient air circulation, cut back plants that are growing against your home, and ensure that trees and their roots stay at a safe distance from your home's foundation.

The summers in Lyndhurst are relatively mild, so you shouldn’t need to worry about concrete shrinkage due to heat too much. But, if your area experiences a very hot season, you may want to water your concrete slab to help it stay moist.

Finally, keep your gutters clean. Gutters guide rainwater away from your house's foundation and siding, preventing water accumulation 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.