10 best foundation repair companies in Madison, Alabama

The foundation is one of the most important parts of your house's structure. Without a robust foundation, everything in your house can deteriorate, leading to unsafe living conditions for you and your family. If you see any cracks on your home's exterior, your foundation must be examined by a professional foundation repair technician urgently.

The average annual rainfall of 52 inches in Madison poses moisture risks for your foundation. As heavy rain hits the ground surrounding your home, the soil absorbs the water and swells. This swelling soil base can put pressure on your foundation's concrete, possibly leading to the development of cracks and holes.

Not only are homes with foundation problems unsafe, but they also have a harder time selling, as buyers don't want to deal with the financial burden of foundation repair or the hazard of related problems. When you're ready to put it on the market, your home's value will rise if you fix your foundation issues. Get in touch with a Madison foundation repair company right away if you think your foundation is in jeopardy.

Find the best local foundation repair companies for you in Madison

Look for foundation repair companies in Madison 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?

Your foundation will display several hints that it requires repair, with each having a different level of severity.

• Visible foundation cracks: The first sign of a problem with your foundation is cracking, which you can spot early on by routinely checking the concrete and support framing under and surrounding 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 see cracks in the ceiling.
• Uneven floors: As your foundation becomes unlevel, so will your floors. They may have high and low spots or seem bouncy as you walk on them.
• Skewed windows or doors: Windows and doors that become unaligned with their jambs or pull apart from their frames could be a sign that your foundation is shifting the walls away from their initial location.
• Cracked chimney: If your chimney seems damaged or starts to tilt, it can signify that your foundation is already showing structural issues.
• Moisture in the crawl space: The presence of mildew, mold and moisture in your crawl space can be a solid indicator of future foundation problems, such as a sinking foundation.
• Loose or stuck doors: Gaps open in the walls when a damaged foundation moves, resulting in doors that jam when closed or not close fully at all.

What services do foundation repair companies offer?

If you're unsure of the exact issue with your foundation, a professional from a foundation repair provider in Madison will take a look at it and advise you on the best solution. These professionals perform a range of typical services, such as:

• Leak repair: The service 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 plumbing problems or improper water redirection. Once they find the cause, the repair technician 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 the type of sealant used. 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.
• Stabilization: If your foundation has begun to sink and you're looking for a solution that's more budget-friendly and less invasive than leveling, stabilization might be the best choice. This service supports your foundation, keeping it in place and preventing any additional movement or damage to your foundation. The only drawback is that it will not level out your house.
• Underpinning: When your foundation is failing or you need additional space above the foundation, professionals often perform underpinning, also known as leveling or piering. This is a heavily involved procedure that involves lowering the footing onto more stable ground to add strength and depth to an existing foundation. The technique 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.
• Waterproofing: Among the most effective methods to avert future issues with your foundation is waterproofing. Interior waterproofing uses a sump pump to channel water that has entered your crawl space or basement. Exterior waterproofing uses a moisture barrier, speed strip, dimple board and proper drainage, such as a footer drain to stop water from entering at all. If you use your basement as a spare room, office or living space, you will want to opt for the exterior method.

Questions to ask foundation repair pros in Madison

The right expert is essential when repairing your foundation. To pinpoint your best fit, ask potential foundation repair providers the following questions.

Is your company properly licensed and insured?

Credible foundation repair companies should have licenses and insurance to protect you and your home. Alabama foundation repair professionals must be Licensed Prime Contractors or Subcontractors with a Building Construction classification, and should be registered through the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors. You can also check with the National Foundation Repair Association to determine if your repair company has the appropriate certifications for your specific job.

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

Find out if the contractor knows what is causing the problem and what they think is the best solution. 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 expert to make sure you have a comprehensive understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of each. You can always get a second opinion from a different company if you don't agree with the answer or feel they aren't being thorough enough.

How much will my foundation repairs cost?

Get an estimate from the repair specialist you're vetting to determine how much the service will cost. 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. We recommend getting a few quotes for price comparison, as most licensed providers will offer them for free. The extent of the damage is the major factor that will determine the overall cost of the project.

Do you offer financing options?

Some companies may offer financing options, such as payment 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?

Ask about a company's warranty options to understand what kind of protection you'll have after the repairs are done. They may offer a lifetime or limited lifetime warranty that covers specific costs, such as materials used, for a certain number of years.

How long will the repairs take?

Foundation repair timelines can vary from one day to as long as two months based on the extent of the damage.

Crack and leak repairs can take a few days to fix if there isn't additional damage. Waterproofing can take anywhere from one day to a week, based on the extent of the project. A pier repair often 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?

While foundation repairs are in progress, you can typically remain inside your home. You may have to leave if the service provider cuts into your floors or ceiling, such as when they're installing interior supports.

How can you protect the foundation of your Madison home?

While you should always consult a professional if you think you already have foundation issues, you can take steps to safeguard your home's foundation against future problems.

Protecting your foundation when building a new home

When constructing a new house, discuss the foundation installation process with your foundation professional. Your contractor will place fresh, level topsoil over the cleared land before concrete is poured for the foundation. Your contractor should make sure there's proper drainage to stop water from accumulating on or around the concrete slab. After your concrete is poured, it needs to cure completely. The total curing process can take up to 28 days based on the specific material used and the width of the pour. Your contractor should comply with the setting standards specific to your slab.

Protecting the foundation of an existing home

Regular inspections are the most effective way to safeguard your home's foundation. During an inspection, check for any breaking, shifting or cracking in or around your concrete slab. Be sure to take a look at your walls and framings too. Similar damage to these areas can also signal foundation damage.

Clean off dirt and debris from around your foundation's base as buildup can trap moisture and result in mold that threatens your foundation. To promote adequate air circulation, cut back plants that are growing against your home, and make sure that trees and their roots keep at a safe distance from your home's foundation.

The relatively mild summers in Madison mean that you don't have to be too concerned about concrete shrinkage due to heat. However, you should water your concrete slab during a heat wave to help it retain moisture.

As a final step, regularly clean your gutters. Gutters help stop standing water by redirecting rainwater away from your house's 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.