10 best foundation repair companies in Pelham, Alabama

Your foundation supports your home's structural integrity. A weak foundation can cause your house to crumble, leading to dangerous conditions for you and your loved ones and pets. Cracks in or around your home's exterior are a sign that something is wrong with your foundation and should be checked immediately by a foundation repair specialist.

Repairing foundation damage early on is essential to preventing future problems, including cracking walls, a sinking foundation or roof damage. You'll save money and headaches over time by resolving the problem while it's still small.

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 financial burden of foundation repair or related issues. When it comes time to sell, your home's value will increase if you fix your foundation issues. If your foundation is at risk, locate a foundation repair company in Pelham right away.

Find the best local foundation repair companies for you in Pelham

Look for foundation repair companies in Pelham 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 range of warning signs that can point to your foundation needing attention, each associated with a different level of urgency.

• Visible foundation cracks: Cracks in your foundation are typically your first sign of trouble and something you can catch early on if you routinely check the concrete and support framing under and around your home.
• Uneven floors: As your foundation becomes uneven, so will your floors. They may have high and low spots or seem springy as you walk on them.
• Moisture in the crawl space: If you notice mold, moisture and mildew in your crawl space, it signals you might have foundation issues especially a sinking foundation.
• Loose or stuck doors: Gaps develop in the walls when a damaged foundation moves, resulting in doors that catch when shut or not shut 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.
• Cracks in walls or ceiling: Watch for diagonal cracks in your walls, especially if you start to see more than usual. Your foundation may also be damaged if you find cracks in the ceiling.
• Cracked chimney: When your chimney shows signs of cracking or begins to tilt, it can indicate that your foundation is already deteriorating.

What services do foundation repair companies offer?

Foundation repair experts offer a range of services from crack repair to stabilization. Even if you don't know what exactly is wrong with your foundation, a professional will inspect 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 provider's first step is to locate the cause of the leak. Then, they will fix the problem and offer waterproofing solutions.
• Crack repair: Sealing cracks prevents moisture from coming in through the soil underneath. The crack's angle, size and position determine which sealant the contractor uses. 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: If your foundation has begun to sink and you're looking for a solution that's more economical and less disruptive than leveling, stabilization might be the best choice. This service supports your foundation, maintaining its position 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 procedure that strengthens your foundation by lowering the footing onto more stable ground. Contractors employ this approach to increase the depth of an existing foundation. It's often needed 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 technical specialty required, the method and the number of piers added.
• Waterproofing: Among the most effective methods to avert future issues with your foundation is waterproofing. Interior waterproofing uses a sump pump to channel water that has entered your crawl space or basement. Exterior waterproofing uses a dimple board, speed strip, moisture barrier and proper drainage, such as a footer drain to stop water from getting in at all. If you use your basement as a spare room, office or living space, you will want to choose the exterior method.

Questions to ask foundation repair pros in Pelham

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

Is your company properly licensed and insured?

Trustworthy foundation repair companies must be licensed and insured to protect 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?

Find out if the foundation repair company can figure out what is causing the problem and what they think is the ideal remedy. If raising your slab is the method they suggest, find out 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 estimated cost is too high. Discuss the possible solutions with your repair expert to make sure you have a comprehensive understanding of the pros and cons of each. You can always ask for 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 pro you're vetting to determine how much the project will cost. If there are different options, get quotes in writing detailing everything from materials to labor hours. We recommend getting a few quotes for price comparison, as most reputable businesses will offer them for free. How much your foundation repair project will cost varies based on the severity of your foundation issues and how far the problem has spread.

Do you offer financing options?

Your contractor may offer financing options, such as installment plans, directly or through a third-party partner. The foundation repair provider may also offer 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 should have once the repairs are finished. 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 over.

How long will the repairs take?

The severity of the damage greatly impacts how long a foundation repair job will take, but projects typically last between one and two months depending on the service.

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, 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?

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

How can you protect the foundation of your Pelham home?

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

Protecting your foundation when building a new home

For those constructing a new home, consult with your contractor about their foundation installation process. Your contractor will place fresh, level topsoil over the cleared area before pouring the concrete for the foundation. You should also have adequate drainage to keep water from gathering 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 products used and the width of the pour, which may take up to 28 days.

Protecting the foundation of an existing home

To protect your home's foundation, perform regular inspections. As you perform an inspection, be vigilant for any cracking, shifting or breaking around or within the concrete. Examine your walls and framings for similar kinds of damage, as these often point to foundation trouble.

Keep your foundation free from dirt and debris buildup as it can trap moisture and cause mold growth. Sufficient air circulation around your home is critical, so trim any plants growing against it. Additionally, make sure that trees and their roots are kept away from your home to stop potential damage.

Concrete shrinkage due to heat is not a big concern in Pelham because the summers are moderately warm. However, if your area encounters a very hot season, you may want to water your concrete slab to keep it hydrated.

As a final step, routinely clean your gutters. Gutters help prevent water damage by redirecting 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.