10 best foundation repair companies in St. Petersburg, Florida

The foundation plays an important role in your home's stability. A deteriorating foundation can cause your house to deteriorate, creating unsafe conditions for you and your loved ones. Cracks in or around the outside of your home strongly indicate foundation problems that demand urgent action from a foundation repair professional.

Fix foundation damage quickly to prevent further issues, such as cracking walls, a sinking foundation or roof damage. It's better in the long run to resolve the foundation problem while it's still minor, saving you money and headaches.

Buyers are also reluctant to purchase a house with foundation issues as they don't want to deal with the financial burden of foundation repair and the potentially dangerous conditions. Conversely, fixing your home's foundation problems will raise its value when you decide to sell. Get in touch with a St. Petersburg foundation repair company right away if you think your foundation is at risk.

Find the best local foundation repair companies for you in St. Petersburg

Look for foundation repair companies in St. Petersburg 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 repair, each associated with a different level of severity.

• Visible foundation cracks: Cracks in your foundation are typically your first sign of issues and something you can catch early on if you routinely check the concrete and support framing under and around your house.
• Cracked chimney: If your chimney appears fractured or starts to tilt, your foundation may already be compromised.
• Skewed windows or doors: Windows and doors can become misaligned with their jambs or separate from their frames when your foundation pulls the walls away from their initial location.
• Cracks in walls or ceiling: Stay alert for diagonal cracks appearing in your walls, particularly if they start to emerge more regularly. Cracks in the ceiling may also suggest foundation problems.
• Loose or stuck doors: Gaps develop in the walls as a broken foundation moves, making doors stick when closed or fail to shut properly at all.
• Uneven floors: When your foundation starts to shift and become uneven, your floors will follow suit. They may have uneven sections or feel elastic.
• Moisture in the crawl space: If you see moisture, mold and mildew in your crawl space, it suggests you might have foundation problems including a sinking foundation.

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 professional will take a look at your foundation and advise you on the best solution. These are some common services offered by foundation repair companies in St. Petersburg:

• Leak repair: First, the provider will locate the cause of the leak, as it may be the result of incorrect water redirection or plumbing issues, or coming from a window, especially in the basement. Then, the repair professional will isolate the leak, repair the issue and give you waterproofing solutions.
• Crack repair: To prevent moisture from coming in through the soil and into your foundation, a professional can close cracks. The type of product used is based on the crack's dimensions, orientation and location. 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: Stabilization can stop further damage if your foundation has already begun to sink. This process supports your foundation by maintaining its position and stopping additional movement. It won't level out your home, but it's more budget-friendly and less disruptive than leveling.
• Underpinning: When your foundation is failing or you need additional space above the foundation, experts typically offer underpinning, also known as leveling or piering. This is an in-depth procedure that involves lowering the footing onto more supportive ground to add support and depth to an existing foundation. The technique requires removing soil from the area and replacing it with concrete to create a new foundation. Costs vary based on the technical expertise required, the number of piers added and the procedure.
• Waterproofing: Waterproofing is one of the best ways to avoid future issues with your foundation. Interior waterproofing allows water to enter your crawl space or basement before using a sump pump to divert it. However, exterior waterproofing stops water from entering at all by adding a speed strip, dimple board, moisture barrier and proper drainage, such as a footer drain. You will want to use the exterior method if you use your basement as a spare room, office or living space.

Questions to ask foundation repair pros in St. Petersburg

The right pro is important when repairing your foundation. To identify your best fit, ask potential foundation repair professionals the following questions.

Is your company properly licensed and insured?

Trustworthy foundation repair companies must be licensed and insured to protect you and your property. Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation issues Certified Contractor Licenses in Building, General Contracting and Residential Construction for foundation repair professionals, while further certifications are required at the local level. If you aren’t sure if your contractor has the correct license, check with your city’s local licensing board or the National Foundation Repair Association.

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

To ensure a service provider is the right choice, ask if they understand the source of the problem and what they think is the ideal solution. If raising your slab is the solution 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 a possibility if the estimated price is too high. Be sure to ask about the pros and cons of each solution, so you have a thorough understanding of your choices. You can always get a second opinion from another company if you don't like the answer or feel they aren't being detailed enough.

How much will my foundation repairs cost?

Ask for an estimate of how much the repairs will cost you. Make sure you get quotes in writing that detail everything from supplies to time on site, especially if there are multiple options. Often, contractors will offer quotes for free. Get multiple estimates so you can compare prices. The overall cost depends on the severity of your foundation issues and how far the damage has spread.

Do you offer financing options?

Your contractor may offer financing options, such as 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 to understand what kind of coverage you'll have after the repairs are finished. They may offer a lifetime or limited lifetime warranty that covers specific expenses, such as materials used, for a certain number of years after the work is done.

How long will the repairs take?

Foundation repair timelines can vary greatly, from one day to as long as two months depending on the severity of the damage.

Fixing cracks and leaks can be completed 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 usually 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?

While foundation repairs are being completed, you can often remain inside your home. You may have to relocate if the service provider has to cut into your floors or ceiling, such as when they're installing interior supports.

How can you protect the foundation of your St. Petersburg home?

If you think your home has foundation issues, 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 damage.

Protecting your foundation when building a new home

When building a new home, discuss the foundation installation process with your service provider. The land should be prepared by clearing it and ensuring fresh, level topsoil is spread over the ground before the concrete is poured. Your contractor should make sure there's adequate drainage to stop water from accumulating on or around the concrete slab. Once poured, your concrete needs to cure fully. The total curing process can take up to 28 days based on the specific material used and the width of the pour. Your contractor should follow the setting standards specific to your slab.

Protecting the foundation of an existing home

Routine inspections are the most effective way to safeguard your home's foundation. When you perform these checks, it's crucial to check for any indications of shifting, breaking or cracking in or around your concrete slab. Similar damage on your walls and framings frequently indicates foundation issues, so don't forget to check them too.

Keep your foundation free from dirt and debris because it can trap moisture and lead to 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 avert potential damage.

Concrete shrinkage due to heat is not a big issue in St. Petersburg because the summers are fairly gentle. However, if your area encounters a very hot season, you should water your concrete slab to help it retain moisture.

Finally, routinely clean your gutters. Gutters help prevent water damage by redirecting rainwater away from your home's 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.