10 best foundation repair companies in Newington, Connecticut

Your foundation supports your house's stability and durability. Without a sturdy foundation, everything in your house can break down, leading to dangerous living conditions for you and your loved ones. Cracks in or around your home's exterior are a sign that something is wrong with your foundation and should be inspected immediately by a foundation repair professional.

Your foundation in Newington may face moisture-related risks due to the area's high average rainfall of 49 inches each year. Heavy rain soaking the ground around your home causes the soil to absorb water and expand, which can put pressure on your foundation's concrete. The pressure from this swelling soil base can cause the formation of cracks and gaps.

Not only do foundation problems make your home unsafe, but they also make it harder to sell. Prospective buyers are reluctant to take on the financial burden of foundation repair or related problems. Your home's market value will rise when it comes time to sell if you address your foundation problems. If your foundation is at risk, get in touch with a foundation repair company in Newington right away.

Find the best local foundation repair companies for you in Newington

Look for foundation repair companies in Newington 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 are several signs your foundation needs maintenance, each with different levels of severity.

• Visible foundation cracks: Cracks in your foundation are usually the first indication of trouble. You can catch them early if you regularly check the concrete and support framing under and around your home.
• Loose or stuck doors: When a compromised foundation tilts, spaces open in the walls, causing doors to catch when closed or not close properly at all.
• Skewed windows or doors: A shifting foundation can cause your walls to tilt, leading to your doors or windows pulling away from their frames or becoming unaligned with their jambs.
• Uneven floors: Your floors will become uneven 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 vigilant for diagonal cracks appearing in your walls, particularly if they start to emerge more regularly. Cracks in the ceiling may also signify foundation problems.
• Moisture in the crawl space: Mold, mildew and moisture in your crawl space are clear indicators of impending foundation issues, including a sinking foundation.
• Cracked chimney: Your foundation may be in need of repair if your chimney is cracked or starts to tilt.

What services do foundation repair companies offer?

Foundation repair companies provide a variety of services. Even if you don't know precisely what is wrong, a professional will inspect your foundation and advise you on the best solution. These are some typical services offered by foundation repair pros in Newington:

• Leak repair: As leaks can have many causes, such as plumbing problems or poor water redirection, a technician's first step is to find the cause of the leak. Then, they will resolve the problem and offer waterproofing solutions.
• Crack repair: Sealing cracks prevents moisture from rising through the soil underneath. The crack's position, angle and size determine the type of sealant used. 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: Stabilization can prevent further damage if your foundation has already begun to sink. This approach supports your foundation by keeping it in place and preventing additional movement. It won't level out your home, but it's more economical and less invasive than leveling.
• Underpinning: When your foundation is failing or you need additional space above the foundation, service providers generally use underpinning, also known as leveling or piering. This is an in-depth technique that involves lowering the footing onto more supportive ground to add support and depth to an existing foundation. The approach requires removing soil from the area and replacing it with concrete to create a new foundation. Prices vary based on the procedure, the number of piers added and the technical expertise required.
• Waterproofing: Interior and exterior waterproofing are some of the best ways to stop future foundation issues. Interior waterproofing diverts water that has come into your basement or crawl space with a sump pump. Exterior waterproofing prevents water from entering at all by installing a moisture barrier, speed strip, dimple board and proper drainage, such as a footer drain. Choose the exterior method if your basement serves as a spare room, office or living space.

Questions to ask foundation repair pros in Newington

Maintaining your foundation is essential, so you need to hire the right professional for the job. To identify your best fit, ask potential foundation repair experts the following questions.

Is your company properly licensed and insured?

Reputable foundation repair companies should be insured and licensed to safeguard 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?

To ensure a contractor is the right choice, ask if they understand the source of the problem and what they think 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. To get a thorough understanding of your choices, ask about the advantages and disadvantages of each technique. You can always ask for a second opinion from a different company if you don't agree with the answer or feel they aren't being thorough enough.

How much will my foundation repairs cost?

Ask for a quote of how much the repairs will cost you. If there are several alternatives, get quotes in writing detailing everything from supplies to time on site. Most respectable companies will give you a free estimate, 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 repair professional may offer financing options, including payment plans, directly or through a third-party company. The foundation repair provider may also offer a discount if you pay in cash.

What kinds of warranties do you offer?

Ask about a company's warranty options to understand what kind of protection you'll have after the repairs are complete. They may offer a lifetime or limited lifetime warranty that covers specific costs, such as materials used, for a certain number of years.

How long will the repairs take?

Foundation repairs can take anywhere from one day to two months, with the extent of the damage largely determining the timeline.

Crack and leak repairs can take a couple of days to fix if there isn't further damage. Sealing can take anywhere from one day to a week, based on the extent of the project. A pier repair usually takes three to four weeks, while underpinning can take four to six weeks.

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

While foundation repairs are in progress, you can typically stay inside your home. You may have to relocate 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 Newington home?

If you think your home has foundation problems, it's best to speak with a professional. That being said, you can take preventative measures to protect your home's foundation against future problems.

Protecting your foundation when building a new home

When building a new house, discuss the foundation installation process with your foundation expert. The land should be prepared by clearing it and ensuring fresh, level topsoil is spread over the ground before your contractor pours the concrete. Your contractor should make sure there's adequate drainage to stop water from pooling on or around the concrete slab. Proper curing of your concrete is critical once 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

Doing routine inspections is the best way to shield your home's foundation. As you perform these checks, stay alert for signs of breaking, shifting or cracking around or within the concrete. Be sure to take a look at your walls and framings too. Similar damage to these areas can also point to foundation trouble.

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

Scorching hot summers are not common in Newington, which luckily means that concrete shrinkage due to heat isn't a major issue. Nevertheless, when your city encounters exceptionally high temperatures, consider watering your foundation slab as a precautionary measure.

Lastly, don't forget to do routine gutter cleanings. Gutters help prevent water damage by channeling rainwater away from your home'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.