10 best foundation repair companies in Simsbury, Connecticut

The foundation is an essential part of your home's structure. Without a solid foundation, everything in your house can break down, creating dangerous living conditions for you and your family. Exterior cracks on or around your home are an indicator that your foundation has issues and needs to be inspected immediately by a foundation repair expert.

Foundations in Simsbury are vulnerable to shifting and cracking due to the freezing temperatures in the area. When built-up groundwater gets cold enough to freeze and solidify, it can cause significant damage to your foundation.

Not only are homes with foundation troubles unsafe, but they also have a harder time selling, as buyers don't want to deal with the cost of foundation repair or the hazard of related issues. Conversely, resolving your home's foundation issues will increase its value when you decide to sell. If your foundation is at risk, get in touch with a foundation repair company in Simsbury immediately.

Find the best local foundation repair companies for you in Simsbury

Look for foundation repair companies in Simsbury 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 clues your foundation needs repair, each with their own level of importance.

• Visible foundation cracks: Cracks in your foundation are often your first sign of problems and something you can catch early on if you routinely check the concrete and support framing under and around your house.
• Moisture in the crawl space: The presence of mold, moisture and mildew in your crawl space commonly signals future foundation troubles, including a sinking foundation.
• Skewed windows or doors: Windows and doors can become misaligned with their jambs or detach from their frames when your foundation drags the walls away from their initial position.
• Loose or stuck doors: Spaces form in the walls as a broken foundation moves, making doors stick when closed or fail to shut properly.
• Cracks in walls or ceiling: Stay vigilant for diagonal cracks appearing in your walls, particularly if they start to emerge more often. Cracks in the ceiling may also signify foundation problems.
• Uneven floors: As your foundation becomes unlevel, so will your floors. They may have high and low spots or seem bouncy as you walk on them.
• Cracked chimney: Your foundation may be failing 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 exactly what is wrong, a pro will assess your foundation and advise you on the best solution. These are some typical services offered by foundation repair companies in Simsbury:

• Leak repair: The service technician'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 give you waterproofing solutions.
• Crack repair: To prevent moisture from seeping through the soil and into your foundation, a service provider can fill cracks. The type of product used is based on the crack's location, dimensions and orientation. 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.
• Underpinning: Also referred to as leveling or piering, underpinning is an extensive technique that strengthens your foundation by lowering the footing onto more supportive ground. Experts employ this method 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 method, the number of piers added and the technical specialty required.
• Stabilization: Stabilization can prevent further damage if your foundation has already started to sink. This approach supports your foundation by maintaining its position and preventing additional movement. It won't level out your home, but it's more economical and less disruptive than leveling.
• Waterproofing: One of the best ways to avert future issues with your foundation is waterproofing. Interior waterproofing uses a sump pump to redirect 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 prevent water from getting in at all. If you use your basement as a spare room, office or living space, you will want to opt for the exterior method.

Questions to ask foundation repair pros in Simsbury

Maintaining your foundation is critical, so to make sure you get the best fit for your foundation repair requirements, ask providers you're choosing between 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. 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 contractor if they understand what is causing the problem and what they think is the right 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. Discuss the possible solutions with your repair expert to make sure you have a comprehensive understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of each. If you don't feel like the answer they give you is good enough, or you don't agree with it, you can always get a second opinion from another provider.

How much will my foundation repairs cost?

Get an estimate from the repair provider 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 supplies to labor hours. We recommend getting multiple estimates for price comparison, as most licensed providers 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?

Your service provider may offer financing options, including installment 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 so you'll know what coverage you'll have once the repairs are finished. They may provide a lifetime or limited lifetime warranty that covers specific expenses, such as materials, for a set period following the completion of the job.

How long will the repairs take?

How long foundation repair will take is dependent on the severity of the damage, but projects generally range 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, based on the extent of the job. A pier repair typically 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 remain in your home during foundation repairs. However, if the service provider needs to cut into your ceiling or flooring, such as when adding interior supports, you may have to temporarily relocate.

How can you protect the foundation of your Simsbury home?

If you think your home has foundation damage, it's best to consult 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 home, ask your technician about their foundation installation process. Your contractor will place fresh, level topsoil over the cleared lot before pouring the concrete for the foundation. You should also have proper drainage to keep water from gathering on or around the concrete slab. After your concrete is poured, it should cure completely. The total curing process can take up to 28 days based on the specific material used and the thickness of the pour. Your contractor should follow the setting standards specific to your slab.

Protecting the foundation of an existing home

The most effective method to shield your foundation from future damage is through consistent inspections. When you perform these checks, you must check for evidence of breaking, cracking or shifting in or around your concrete slab. Check your walls and framings for similar damage, as these often signal foundation problems.

Protect your foundation by removing dirt and debris from its base as buildup can hold moisture and cause mold growth. To promote sufficient air circulation, cut back plants that are growing against your home, and make sure that trees and their roots are kept away from your home's foundation.

Luckily, Simsbury doesn't have excessively hot summers, so heat-related concrete shrinkage isn't a big worry. But, you may want to water your foundation slab if your city experiences notably high temperatures.

Lastly, routinely clean your gutters. 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.