10 best foundation repair companies in New Orleans, Louisiana

The foundation plays an important role in your home's stability. Without a solid foundation, everything in your house can deteriorate, resulting in unsafe living conditions for you and your family. Exterior cracks on or around your home are a major red flag that your foundation has issues and needs to be inspected right away by a foundation repair professional.

New Orleans gets an average of 62 inches of rain each year, which introduces moisture risks to your foundation. When heavy rain pools around your home, the soil absorbs the water and swells. The swelling soil base can put pressure on your foundation's concrete, leading to the formation of cracks and air gaps.

Not only are homes with foundation issues dangerous, but they also have a harder time selling, as buyers don't want to deal with the financial burden of foundation repair or the challenge of related issues. Conversely, resolving your home's foundation issues will boost its value when you're ready to put it on the market. Get in touch with a New Orleans foundation repair company right away if you suspect your foundation is in danger.

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

Look for foundation repair companies in New Orleans 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 attention, each associated with a different level of importance.

• Visible foundation cracks: Cracks in your foundation are commonly the first sign of a larger problem. They can be detected early if you regularly inspect the concrete and support framing below and around your house.
• Uneven floors: When your foundation starts to shift and become uneven, your floors will follow suit. They may have high and low spots or feel springy.
• Cracks in walls or ceiling: Keep an eye out for diagonal cracks in your walls, especially if they begin to pop up more frequently. Ceiling cracks can also indicate foundation issues.
• Moisture in the crawl space: The presence of mold, mildew and moisture in your crawl space commonly indicates future foundation problems, especially a sinking foundation.
• Cracked chimney: If your chimney seems damaged or starts to slant, it can signify that your foundation is already showing structural damage.
• Loose or stuck doors: When a failing foundation shifts, spaces open in the walls, causing doors to stick when closed or not shut properly at all.
• Skewed windows or doors: If your foundation is shifting the walls away from their original position, windows and doors may become unaligned with their jambs, or separate from their frames.

What services do foundation repair companies offer?

Foundation repair pros offer a variety of services from crack repair to waterproofing. Even if you don't know what exactly is wrong with your foundation, a pro will assess it and suggest a solution. Here are some common services they offer:

• Leak repair: The service professional'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 pro will isolate the leak, repair the problem and provide waterproofing solutions.
• Crack repair: To prevent moisture from coming in through the soil and into your foundation, a service provider can seal cracks. The type of product used is based on the crack's location, dimensions and orientation. After cleaning the crack, a repair pro may use a silicone-based sealer that holds up to varying weather conditions without cracking or bubbling over time. Epoxy or polyurethane fillers are also possibilities.
• Stabilization: If your foundation is sinking, stabilization may be the best service for stopping further damage. This service supports your foundation, maintaining its position and preventing any additional movement. It's more economical and less disruptive 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 procedure that strengthens your foundation by lowering the footing onto more supportive ground. Service providers use this method to increase the depth of an existing foundation. It's generally needed when a foundation is failing or when the building's use has changed, requiring additional space either above the foundation or as 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 stop future foundation issues. Interior waterproofing diverts water that has entered your basement or crawl space with a sump pump. Exterior waterproofing blocks water from getting in at all by using a speed strip, moisture barrier, dimple board and proper drainage, such as a footer drain. Opt for the exterior method if your basement serves as a spare room, office or living space.

Questions to ask foundation repair pros in New Orleans

Ask potential foundation repair technicians the following questions to hire the ideal fit for your job.

Is your company properly licensed and insured?

Reputable foundation repair companies should be insured and licensed to protect you and your home. However, licenses are only required for foundation repair companies in the state of Louisiana if the job is valued at more than $7,500. For jobs between $7,500 and $75,000, professionals must have a Home Improvement License, while jobs worth more than $75,000 require a Residential License. Both licenses are issued by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.

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

Ask the contractor if they understand what is causing the problem and what they think is the ideal fix. If they recommend 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 an option instead. To get a complete understanding of your options, ask about the benefits and drawbacks of each technique. A second opinion is always an option if you don't agree with the answer or think they aren't being detailed 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 multiple options, make sure you ask for quotes in writing detailing everything from materials to time on site. We recommend getting more than one quotes for price comparison, as most respectable businesses will offer them for free. How much your foundation repair job will cost depends on the severity of your foundation issues and how far the problem has spread.

Do you offer financing options?

Some service providers may offer financing options, including installment plans or a discount 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 what warranties the company offers so you know what kind of coverage you'll have once the repairs are complete. They may offer a lifetime or limited lifetime warranty, covering particular costs, such as materials used, for a specific number of years after the job is finished.

How long will the repairs take?

How long foundation repair will take is influenced by the severity of the damage, but projects generally vary from one day to two months.

Repairing cracks and leaks can be finished in a matter of days if there isn't any other damage, while waterproofing may last anywhere from a day to a week, depending on the extent of the job. A pier repair commonly requires three to four weeks, while underpinning takes between four and six weeks.

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

In most cases, you can stay in your home during foundation repairs. However, if the service provider needs to cut into your flooring or ceiling, such as when adding interior supports, you may have to leave temporarily.

How can you protect the foundation of your New Orleans 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 issues.

Protecting your foundation when building a new home

If you're constructing a new house, ask your service expert about their foundation installation process. Your contractor will place fresh, level topsoil over the cleared land before concrete is poured for the foundation. Additionally, proper drainage is key to stop water from pooling on or near the concrete slab. After your concrete is poured, it needs to cure fully. Your contractor must 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. inspect, it's crucial to check for any indications of shifting, breaking or cracking in or around your concrete slab. Make sure you take a look at your walls and framings too. Similar damage to these areas can also indicate foundation problems.

Keep your foundation free from dirt and debris buildup since it can trap moisture and cause mold growth. To promote adequate air circulation, cut back plants that are growing against your home, and make sure that trees and their roots stay away from your home's foundation.

Foundations in New Orleans 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 scorching summer months.

Finally, routinely clean your gutters. Gutters help prevent water damage by guiding rainwater away from your house's foundation and siding, where it can build up.

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.