4 best foundation repair companies in Mobile, Alabama

The foundation is an essential part of your house. Without a robust foundation, everything in your house can fall apart, creating unsafe living conditions for you and your family. Cracks in or around your home's exterior are a big clue that something is wrong with your foundation and should be examined immediately by a foundation repair expert.

The average annual rainfall of 62 inches in Mobile poses moisture risks for your foundation. As heavy rain continuously falls surrounding your home, the soil absorbs the water and expands. This swelling soil base can put pressure on your foundation's concrete, potentially causing the development of cracks and gaps.

Buyers are also reluctant to purchase a house with foundation issues as they don't want to take on the financial burden of foundation repair and the potentially unsafe conditions. Your home's market value will improve when it comes time to sell if you resolve your foundation problems. Get in touch with a foundation repair company in Mobile right away when your foundation is in danger.

Find the best local foundation repair companies for you in Mobile

Look for foundation repair companies in Mobile 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 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 regularly checking the concrete and support framing below and around your house.
• 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.
• Skewed windows or doors: Windows and doors that become unaligned with their jambs or separate from their frames could be a sign that your foundation is shifting the walls away from their initial position.
• Cracked chimney: Your foundation may be in need of repair if your chimney is cracked or starts to lean.
• 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.
• Loose or stuck doors: Spaces form in the walls as a broken foundation shifts, making doors stick when closed or not shut properly.
• Uneven floors: An unlevel foundation will cause your floors to become unlevel. You may notice unequal levels or feel spots that are somewhat springy.

What services do foundation repair companies offer?

Foundation repair professionals in Mobile provide a variety of services. Even if you're unsure of what the particular issue is, a professional will take a look at your foundation and recommend a solution. Here are some typical services they offer:

• 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 improper water redirection or plumbing problems. Once they find the cause, the repair specialist will isolate the leak, fix the problem and give you waterproofing solutions.
• Crack repair: To prevent moisture from seeping through the soil and into your foundation, a service provider can close cracks. Which sealant the contractor uses is based on the crack's dimensions, orientation and location. After cleaning the crack, a repair pro may use a silicone-based sealer that withstands varying weather conditions without cracking or bubbling over time. Epoxy or polyurethane fillers are also possibilities.
• Stabilization: If your foundation is sinking and you're looking for a solution that's more economical and less disruptive than leveling, stabilization might be the best choice. This technique supports your foundation, keeping it in place and stopping any additional movement or damage to your foundation. The one disadvantage is that it will not level out your house.
• Underpinning: Also referred to as leveling or piering, underpinning is a comprehensive process that strengthens your foundation by lowering the footing onto more supportive ground. Professionals use this process 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. Prices vary depending on the method, the technical specialty required and the number of piers added.
• Waterproofing: Interior and exterior waterproofing are some of the best ways to avoid future foundation issues. Interior waterproofing redirects water that has entered your basement or crawl space with a sump pump. Exterior waterproofing stops water from entering at all through a moisture barrier, dimple board, speed strip and proper drainage, such as a footer drain. Use the exterior method if your basement serves as a spare room, office or living space.

Questions to ask foundation repair pros in Mobile

Ask potential foundation repair professionals the following questions to identify the best fit for your job.

Is your company properly licensed and insured?

Trustworthy foundation repair companies must be insured and licensed to safeguard you and your property. 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?

Ask the service provider if they can identify what is causing the problem and what they think is the best fix. If raising your slab is the solution they suggest, 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 option if the price estimate is too high. Be sure to ask about the pros and cons of each solution, so you have a comprehensive understanding of your choices. If you don't think the answer they give you is good enough, or you don't agree with it, you can always get a second opinion from another provider.

How much will my foundation repairs cost?

Ask potential contractors for an estimate. Make sure you get quotes in writing that detail everything from supplies to labor hours, especially if there are several alternatives. We recommend getting more than one quotes for price comparison, as most trusted experts will offer them for free. The overall cost will vary depending on the severity of your foundation issues and how far the damage has spread.

Do you offer financing options?

If you're looking for financing options, they may be available through your service provider directly or third-party groups that partner with them. Check for installment plans or a discount if you pay in cash.

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 particular costs, such as materials used, for a certain number of years after the job is done.

How long will the repairs take?

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

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, depending 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?

While foundation repairs are being completed, you can often stay inside your home. You may have to stay elsewhere if the technician has to cut into your floors or ceiling, such as when they're installing interior supports.

How can you protect the foundation of your Mobile home?

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

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 their process for foundation installation. Your contractor will place fresh, level topsoil over the cleared ground before pouring the concrete for the foundation. Additionally, adequate drainage is necessary to stop water from gathering on or near the concrete slab. Proper curing of your concrete is essential after it's poured. The total curing process can take up to 28 days depending on the specific material used and the thickness of the pour. Your service professional should adhere to the setting standards specific to your slab.

Protecting the foundation of an existing home

Routine inspections are the best way to safeguard your home's foundation. During an inspection, look out for signs of breaking, cracking or shifting in or around your concrete slab. Check your walls and framings for similar kinds of damage, as these often signal foundation trouble.

Clean off dirt and debris from around your foundation's base as buildup can trap moisture and encourage mold that threatens your foundation. Trim plants against your home to allow for adequate air circulation, and make sure trees and their roots are kept away from your home.

Foundations in Mobile are at risk for foundation shrinkage and cracking due to the extreme heat during the summer. To help prevent concrete shrinkage, consider watering your concrete slab during the hot summer months.

Lastly, routinely clean your gutters. Gutters help stop water damage by redirecting rainwater away from your house's foundation and siding, where it can pool.

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.