10 best foundation repair companies in Middletown, Connecticut

The foundation plays a key role in supporting your home. If your foundation isn't strong and reliable, it can cause your house to break down, leading to unsafe living conditions for you and your loved ones and pets. Cracks in or around the outside of your home strongly indicate foundation problems that require immediate action from a foundation repair specialist.

To stop further problems including cracking walls, roof damage or a sinking foundation, it's important to address foundation damage early on. Resolving the problem while it's still small will save you money and headaches in the long run.

Not only do foundation issues make your home unsafe, but they also make it harder to sell. Prospective buyers are hesitant to take on the expense of foundation repair or related problems. Conversely, addressing your home's foundation problems will raise its value when you're ready to put it on the market. If your foundation is in jeopardy, locate a foundation repair company in Middletown as soon as possible.

Find the best local foundation repair companies for you in Middletown

Look for foundation repair companies in Middletown 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 give you many clues that it requires maintenance, with each having a different level 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.
• Loose or stuck doors: Gaps appear in the walls as a compromised foundation moves, making doors jam when shut or not shut fully at all.
• Moisture in the crawl space: Mold, mildew and moisture in your crawl space are good indicators of impending foundation issues, including a sinking foundation.
• Cracks in walls or ceiling: Be on the lookout for diagonal cracks in your walls, especially if they start to surface more often. Ceiling cracks can also point to foundation problems.
• Skewed windows or doors: Windows and doors can become misaligned with their jambs or separate from their frames when your foundation drags the walls away from their initial position.
• Cracked chimney: If your chimney seems cracked or starts to lean, it can signify that your foundation is already showing structural damage.
• Uneven floors: When your foundation starts to shift and become uneven, your floors will follow suit. They may have raised and sunken areas or feel springy.

What services do foundation repair companies offer?

Foundation repair companies offer a variety of services from crack repair to stabilization. Even if you don't know what precisely is wrong with your foundation, a professional will assess it and recommend a solution. Here are some common services they offer:

• Leak repair: First, the service professional will locate the cause of the leak, as it may be the result of incorrect water redirection or plumbing issues, or coming from a window, particularly in the basement. Then, the repair professional will isolate the leak, repair the problem and supply waterproofing solutions.
• Crack repair: Contractors can fill cracks to prevent moisture from coming in through the soil underneath. Which sealant the professional uses depends on the crack's size, the position and the angle. After cleaning the crack, a repair pro may use a silicone-based sealer that withstands changing weather conditions and won't crack or bubble over time. They can also use an epoxy or polyurethane filler.
• Stabilization: Stabilization can stop further damage if your foundation has already started to sink. This service supports your foundation by keeping it in place and stopping additional movement. It won't level out your house, but it's more budget-friendly and less disruptive than leveling.
• Underpinning: Underpinning, also known as leveling or piering, is an in-depth procedure that adds support to your foundation by lowering the footing onto more stable ground. Service providers use this technique to add depth to a preexisting foundation. It's generally 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. Prices vary based on the process, the number of piers added and the technical skill required.
• Waterproofing: Waterproofing is one of the best ways to avoid future issues with your foundation. Interior waterproofing allows water to enter your crawl space or basement before using a sump pump to redirect it. However, exterior waterproofing prevents water from entering at all by adding a dimple board, speed strip, moisture barrier 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 Middletown

Fixing your foundation is vital, so to make sure you get the best fit for your foundation repair requirements, ask companies you're vetting 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. Foundation repair professionals performing work valued at more than $200 must have a Home Improvement Contractor License from the Department of Consumer Protection. In addition, these professionals should have at least $20,000 in liability insurance.

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 think raising your slab is the best approach, 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. Discuss the possible solutions with your repair pro to make sure you have a thorough understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of each. If you don't like the answer or don't think they are being detailed enough, you can always get a second opinion from another company.

How much will my foundation repairs cost?

Ask potential contractors for a quote. Make sure you get quotes in writing that detail everything from supplies to labor hours, especially if there are multiple options. Most respectable companies will give you a free estimate, and it's a good idea to get several for price comparison. How much your foundation repair service will cost is dependent on the severity of your foundation issues and how far it has spread.

Do you offer financing options?

Your repair professional may offer financing options, such as payment plans, directly or through a third-party company. The foundation repair provider may also offer a percentage off if you pay in cash.

What kinds of warranties do you offer?

Ask about a company's warranty options to know what kind of coverage 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 after the work is done.

How long will the repairs take?

The severity of the damage greatly influences 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 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 remain inside your home while foundation repairs are being completed. You may have to stay elsewhere if the service provider cuts into your floors or ceiling, such as for installing interior supports.

How can you protect the foundation of your Middletown home?

If you think your home has foundation issues, it's best to speak with a professional. That being said, you can be proactive with certain strategies to protect your home's foundation against future damage.

Protecting your foundation when building a new home

If you're in the process of constructing a new home, have a conversation with your contractor about what steps they will take during foundation installation. The area should be prepared by clearing it and ensuring fresh, level topsoil is in place before your foundation professional pours the concrete. Your contractor should make sure there's adequate drainage to stop water from gathering on or around the concrete slab. The concrete needs to cure properly after it's poured. Your service professional should follow the setting standards for the material used and the thickness of the pour, which may take up to 28 days.

Protecting the foundation of an existing home

To protect your home's foundation, perform routine inspections. As you perform these checks, be vigilant for signs of shifting, cracking or breaking around or within the concrete. Similar damage on your walls and framings commonly indicates foundation issues, so don't forget to check them too.

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

Luckily, Middletown doesn't have particularly hot summers, so heat-related concrete shrinkage isn't a major worry. But, you may want to water your foundation slab if your area experiences particularly hot conditions.

Lastly, regularly clean your gutters. Gutters help cut down on 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.