10 best foundation repair companies in New Haven, Connecticut

The foundation is the most important part of your house's structure. A weak or deteriorating foundation can cause your house to start to collapse, resulting in unsafe conditions for you and your loved ones. Cracks in or around the outside of your home suggest foundation problems that need urgent action from a foundation repair expert.

Address foundation damage as soon as possible to prevent further issues, such as roof damage, cracking walls or a sinking foundation. It's better in the long run to address the foundation issue while it's still minor, saving you money and headaches.

Not only do foundation problems make your home dangerous, but they also make it harder to sell. Prospective buyers are hesitant to deal with the expense of foundation repair or related issues. When you're ready to put it on the market, your home's value will rise if you address your foundation problems. Get in touch with a foundation repair company in New Haven right away when your foundation is in danger.

Find the best local foundation repair companies for you in New Haven

Look for foundation repair companies in New Haven 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's a variety of warning signs that can point to your foundation needing repair, each associated with a different level of urgency.

• Visible foundation cracks: Cracks in your foundation are typically the first sign of trouble. You can catch them early if you regularly check the concrete and support framing under and around your home.
• 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: If your foundation is pulling the walls away from their original location, windows and doors may become unaligned with their jambs, or pull apart from their frames.
• Cracked chimney: If your chimney seems damaged or starts to lean, it can signify that your foundation is already showing structural issues.
• Uneven floors: As your foundation becomes unlevel, so will your floors. They may have varying heights in different areas or seem springy as you walk on them.
• Loose or stuck doors: Gaps appear in the walls when a compromised foundation shifts, resulting in doors that catch when shut or not shut fully at all.
• Moisture in the crawl space: Finding mold, moisture and mildew in your crawl space can be a solid signal of future foundation problems, such as a sinking foundation.

What services do foundation repair companies offer?

Foundation repair companies offer a wide selection of services from leak repair to stabilization. Even if you don't know what specifically is wrong with your foundation, a professional will take a look at it and suggest a solution. Here are some typical services they offer:

• Leak repair: As leaks can have many causes, such as plumbing problems or poor water redirection, a professional's first step is to find the cause of the leak. Then, they will fix the problem and give you waterproofing solutions.
• Crack repair: Contractors can seal cracks to prevent moisture from rising through the soil underneath. Which sealant the technician uses depends on the size of the crack, the position and the orientation. After cleaning out 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 begun to sink. This process 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 invasive than leveling.
• Underpinning: Also referred to as leveling or piering, underpinning is an in-depth process that strengthens your foundation by lowering the footing onto more stable ground. Contractors employ this process to increase the depth of an existing foundation. It's typically necessary 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 technical specialty required and the method.
• Waterproofing: Waterproofing is one of the best ways to avoid future issues with your foundation. Interior waterproofing enables 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 New Haven

Repairing your foundation is critical, so you need to hire the right professional for the job. 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 possess 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?

Ask the service provider if they can identify what is causing the problem and what they think is the right fix. If raising your slab is the fix they suggest, ask what tools they'll need for the job and how high they'll raise it. You can also ask if stabilization is an option if the price estimate is too high. To get a comprehensive understanding of your choices, ask about the pros and cons of each technique. You can always get a second opinion from a different company if you don't like the answer or feel they aren't being thorough enough.

How much will my foundation repairs cost?

Get an estimate from the repair expert you're vetting to determine how much the service will cost. Make sure you get quotes in writing that detail everything from supplies to labor hours, especially if there are different options. Often, contractors will offer estimates for free. Get multiple estimates so you can compare prices. The extent of the damage is the major factor that will determine the overall cost of the project.

Do you offer financing options?

Your contractor may offer financing options, including installment plans, directly or through a third-party partner. The foundation repair provider may also offer a percentage off if you pay in cash.

What kinds of warranties do you offer?

Ask what warranties the foundation repair company offers so you know what kind of coverage you can expect 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 timeline of foundation repairs can vary from a single day to two months based on how severe the damage is.

In the absence of additional issues, crack and leak repairs may be completed 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?

Foundation repair jobs are often safe and unintrusive enough that you can easily remain inside your home throughout the project. You may have to leave or relocate if the service provider 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 New Haven home?

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

Protecting your foundation when building a new home

For those constructing a new home, talk with your contractor about their foundation installation process. The lot should be prepared by clearing it and ensuring fresh, level topsoil is in place before your contractor pours the concrete. You should also have proper drainage to keep water from gathering on or around the concrete slab. Complete curing of your concrete is essential after it's poured. Your service professional must 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

Conducting regular inspections is the most effective way to shield your home's foundation. During these assessments, look out for signs of shifting, breaking or cracking in or around your concrete slab. Similar damage on your walls and framings commonly suggests foundation problems, so don't forget to check them as well.

Keep your foundation free from dirt and debris as it can hold moisture and lead to mold growth. Trim plants against your home to allow for proper air circulation, and make sure trees and their roots are kept away from your home.

Heat-related concrete shrinkage is not a big worry in New Haven because the summers aren't particularly hot. Still, if your area faces notably hot weather, it's a good idea to water your foundation slab.

Lastly, keep your gutters clean. Gutters help stop 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.