4 best foundation repair companies in Prattville, Alabama

The foundation plays a key role in your home's stability. Without a solid foundation, everything in your home can crumble, creating dangerous living conditions for you and your family. If you notice any cracks on your home's exterior, your foundation must be assessed by a licensed foundation repair technician as soon as possible.

Your foundation in Prattville may face moisture-related risks due to the area's high average rainfall of 52 inches annually. Heavy rain soaking the ground around your home causes the soil to absorb water and swell, which can put pressure on your foundation's concrete. The pressure from this swelling soil base can cause the formation of cracks and air gaps.

Not only do foundation troubles make your home dangerous, but they also make it harder to sell. Prospective buyers are reluctant to take on the financial burden of foundation repair or related problems. Conversely, fixing your home's foundation issues will increase its value when you decide to sell. If your foundation is in jeopardy, get in touch with a foundation repair company in Prattville as soon as possible.

Find the best local foundation repair companies for you in Prattville

Look for foundation repair companies in Prattville 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 various signs your foundation needs attention, each with varying levels of importance.

• Visible foundation cracks: Cracks in your foundation are typically the first clue of an underlying problem. They can be detected early if you regularly inspect the concrete and support framing under and around your house.
• Cracked chimney: If your chimney appears broken or starts to lean, your foundation may already be compromised.
• 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 see cracks in the ceiling.
• Moisture in the crawl space: Mold, mildew and moisture in your crawl space are clear indicators of impending foundation issues, especially a sinking foundation.
• Loose or stuck doors: Spaces form in the walls as a damaged foundation shifts, making doors jam when closed or not close fully at all.
• Skewed windows or doors: Windows and doors that misalign with their jambs or detach from their frames could be a sign that your foundation is dragging the walls away from their initial position.
• Uneven floors: As your foundation becomes uneven, so will your floors. They may have varying heights in different areas or seem springy as you walk on them.

What services do foundation repair companies offer?

Foundation repair professionals offer a variety of services from crack repair to underpinning. Even if you don't know what exactly is wrong with your foundation, a pro will take a look at it and recommend 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 service technician's first step is to find the cause of the leak. Then, they will fix the issue and provide waterproofing solutions.
• Crack repair: To prevent moisture from seeping through the soil and into your foundation, a contractor can seal cracks. Which sealant the contractor uses is based on the crack's location, orientation and dimensions. After cleaning out 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 good options.
• Stabilization: If your foundation is sinking, stabilization may be the best choice for stopping further damage. This process supports your foundation, keeping it in place and preventing any additional movement. It's more budget-friendly and less disruptive than leveling. The only drawback is that it will not level out your house.
• Underpinning: When your foundation is failing or you need additional space above the foundation, service providers usually offer underpinning, also known as leveling or piering. This is a comprehensive process that involves lowering the footing onto more supportive ground to add strength and depth to an existing foundation. The technique requires removing soil from the area and replacing it with concrete to create a new foundation. Prices vary based on the number of piers added, the procedure and the technical expertise required.
• Waterproofing: One of the best ways to avoid 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, moisture barrier, speed strip and proper drainage, such as a footer drain to stop water from entering at all. If you use your basement as a spare room, office or living space, you will want to use the exterior method.

Questions to ask foundation repair pros in Prattville

Repairing your foundation is critical, so you need to hire the right expert for the job. To pinpoint your best fit, ask potential foundation repair companies the following questions.

Is your company properly licensed and insured?

Credible foundation repair companies should possess licenses and insurance to safeguard you and your home. 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 service provider 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, 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 advantages and disadvantages of each solution, so you have a thorough understanding of your choices. If you don't like the answer or don't think they are being thorough enough, you can always get a second opinion from another provider.

How much will my foundation repairs cost?

Ask prospective companies for an estimate. Make sure you get quotes in writing that detail everything from materials to time on site, especially if there are different options. Most reputable professionals will give you a free estimate, and it's a good idea to get several for price comparison. The severity of the damage is the major factor that will determine the overall cost of the project.

Do you offer financing options?

Your service provider may offer payment plans or a percentage off if you pay in cash. Check with your repair professional to see if they offer financing directly, or if they partner with a third-party company that has financing plans available.

What kinds of warranties do you offer?

Ask about a company's warranty options to know 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 after the work is done.

How long will the repairs take?

The extent of the damage significantly influences 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 completed 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?

In most cases, you can remain in your home during foundation repairs. However, if the contractor 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 Prattville home?

Although consulting an expert is essential if you suspect you have foundation problems, there are preventative solutions you can take to better protect your home's foundation from future damage.

Protecting your foundation when building a new home

If you're in the process of building a new house, have a conversation with your contractor about what steps they will take during foundation installation. The land should be prepared by clearing it and ensuring fresh, level topsoil is in place before your foundation professional pours the concrete. Your contractor should make sure there's proper drainage to stop water from pooling on or around the concrete slab. Complete curing of your concrete is essential after it's poured. The total curing process can take up to 28 days based on the specific material used and the thickness of the pour. Your service professional should comply with the setting standards specific to your slab.

Protecting the foundation of an existing home

The best way to shield your foundation from future damage is through regular inspections. As you inspect, check for signs of cracking, shifting or breaking in or around your concrete slab. Similar damage on your walls and framings often suggests foundation trouble, so don't forget to check them too.

Protect your foundation by removing dirt and debris from its base as buildup can hold moisture and lead to mold growth. To promote proper air circulation, prune plants that are growing against your home, and ensure that trees and their roots stay away from your home's foundation.

Foundations in Prattville are at risk for foundation shrinkage and cracking due to the extreme heat during the summer. To help prevent concrete shrinkage, you may want to water your concrete slab during the hottest summer months.

As a final step, don't forget to perform routine gutter cleanings. Gutters help stop water damage by guiding rainwater away from your 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.