10 best foundation repair companies in McMinnville, Oregon

The foundation plays an important role in your home's structural integrity. A compromised foundation can cause your house to deteriorate, leading to dangerous conditions for you and your family. Exterior cracks on or around your home are an indicator that your foundation has issues and needs to be inspected immediately by a foundation repair specialist.

McMinnville gets an average of 53 inches of rain annually, which creates moisture risks to your foundation. When heavy rain hits the ground around your home, the soil absorbs the water and swells. The expanding soil base can put pressure on your foundation's concrete, leading to the formation of cracks and holes.

Buyers are also hesitant to purchase a home with foundation issues as they don't want to take on the expense of foundation repair and the potentially dangerous conditions. When you're ready to put it on the market, your home's value will increase if you fix your foundation problems. If your foundation is in jeopardy, locate a foundation repair company in McMinnville immediately.

Find the best local foundation repair companies for you in McMinnville

Look for foundation repair companies in McMinnville 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 signs 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 around your house.
• Cracked chimney: If your chimney appears broken or starts to lean, your foundation may already be failing.
• Uneven floors: Your floors will become unlevel as your foundation does. You may notice varying heights in different areas or a springy feeling as you walk across the floor.
• Cracks in walls or ceiling: Stay alert for diagonal cracks appearing in your walls, particularly if they start to emerge more often. Cracks in the ceiling may also suggest foundation problems.
• Loose or stuck doors: Gaps develop in the walls when a broken foundation moves, resulting in doors that catch when closed or fail to shut fully.
• Moisture in the crawl space: Discovering moisture, mildew and mold in your crawl space can be a strong sign of future foundation problems, such as a sinking foundation.
• Skewed windows or doors: If your foundation is shifting the walls away from their original location, windows and doors may become misaligned with their jambs, or separate from their frames.

What services do foundation repair companies offer?

If you're unsure of the specific issue with your foundation, a pro from a foundation repair provider in McMinnville will assess it and advise you on the best solution. These technicians provide a variety of common services, such as:

• Leak repair: The technician's first step is to identify 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, fix the issue and offer waterproofing solutions.
• Crack repair: Sealing cracks stops moisture from rising through the soil underneath. The crack's size, position and angle determine which sealant the contractor uses. After cleaning out 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 is sinking, stabilization may be the best solution for stopping further damage. This process supports your foundation, maintaining its position and preventing any additional movement. It's more cost-effective and less invasive than leveling. The main drawback is that it will not level out your house.
• Underpinning: Also referred to as leveling or piering, underpinning is a complex technique that strengthens your foundation by lowering the footing onto more supportive ground. Service providers use this approach to increase the depth of an existing foundation. It's generally used when a foundation is failing or when the building's use has changed, requiring additional space either above the foundation or in the form of a basement. The process involves removing soil from the area and replacing it with concrete to create a new foundation. Prices vary depending on the number of piers added, the method and the technical specialty required.
• Waterproofing: One of the best ways to avoid future issues with your foundation is waterproofing. Interior waterproofing uses a sump pump to redirect water that has come into your crawl space or basement. Exterior waterproofing uses a dimple board, speed strip, moisture barrier and proper drainage, such as a footer drain to stop water from getting in 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 McMinnville

Ask potential foundation repair companies the following questions to find the ideal fit for your job.

Is your company properly licensed and insured?

Trustworthy foundation repair companies must be insured and licensed to protect you and your property. Professionals in Oregon must have either a Residential General or Residential Specialty Contractor's License from the Oregon Construction Contractor's Board in order to perform foundation work in the state.

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

When evaluating a service provider, ask if they know the cause of the problem and what they believe is the right fix. If they think raising your slab is the best approach, 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 reasonable alternative if the quoted price is too high. Be sure to ask about the benefits and drawbacks of each solution, so you have a thorough understanding of your choices. A second opinion is always an option if you don't agree with the answer or think they aren't being thorough enough.

How much will my foundation repairs cost?

Get a quote from the repair pro you're vetting to determine how much the project will cost. For projects where you have to choose between several alternatives, make sure you ask for quotes in writing detailing everything from supplies to time on site. Most reputable professionals will give you a free quote, and it's a good idea to get several for price comparison. The overall cost varies based on the severity of your foundation issues and how far the damage has spread.

Do you offer financing options?

Your service provider may offer payment plans or a percentage off 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?

Ask what warranties the foundation repair company offers so you know what kind of coverage you'll have once the repairs are done. 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 over.

How long will the repairs take?

The duration of foundation repairs can range from a single day to two months based on how extensive the damage is.

In the absence of additional issues, crack and leak repairs may be finished within a couple of days, while waterproofing projects can fluctuate between one day and a week, based on the scale of the job. Expect pier repairs to take three to four weeks, and underpinning to require four to six weeks.

Can I remain in my home while foundation repairs are being completed?

You can often remain inside your home while foundation repairs are being carried out. You may have to leave if the technician cuts into your floors or ceiling, such as when installing interior supports.

How can you protect the foundation of your McMinnville home?

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

Protecting your foundation when building a new home

For those constructing a new home, consult 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 the concrete is poured. You should also have proper drainage to keep water from pooling on or around the concrete slab. The concrete should be allowed to cure fully after it's poured. Based on the setting standards of the material used and the pour's thickness, the curing process may take up to 28 days.

Protecting the foundation of an existing home

The most effective method to protect your foundation from future damage is through periodic inspections. During an inspection, look out for any shifting, cracking or breaking in or around your concrete slab. Similar damage on your walls and framings commonly suggests foundation problems, so don't forget to check them too.

Keep your foundation free from dirt and debris as it can trap moisture and cause mold growth. To promote proper air circulation, trim plants that are growing against your home, and make sure that trees and their roots are kept at a safe distance from your home's foundation.

Excessively hot summers are not common in McMinnville, which luckily means that heat-related concrete shrinkage isn't a major concern. Nevertheless, when your city encounters exceptionally hot conditions, consider watering your foundation slab as a preventative measure.

Finally, regularly clean your gutters. Gutters help prevent standing water by channeling 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.