10 best foundation repair companies in West Chester, Ohio

Your foundation supports your house's structural integrity. If your foundation isn't sturdy and reliable, it can cause your house to fall to pieces, creating dangerous living conditions for you and your family members. Cracks in or around the outside of your home suggest foundation problems that require urgent action from a foundation repair expert.

Foundations in West Chester 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 do foundation issues make your home dangerous, but they also make it harder to sell. Prospective buyers are reluctant to deal with the expense of foundation repair or related issues. When you decide to sell, your home's market value will increase if you fix your foundation problems. Find a West Chester foundation repair company as soon as possible if you suspect your foundation is at risk.

Find the best local foundation repair companies for you in West Chester

Look for foundation repair companies in West Chester 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 repair, each associated with a different level of importance.

• Visible foundation cracks: The first sign of an issue with your foundation is cracking, which you can spot early on by routinely checking the concrete and support framing under and surrounding your house.
• Loose or stuck doors: Gaps form in the walls when a compromised foundation moves, resulting in doors that stick when shut or fail to close properly.
• Moisture in the crawl space: If you find mildew, mold and moisture in your crawl space, it signals you might have foundation issues including a sinking foundation.
• Cracks in walls or ceiling: Keep an eye out for diagonal cracks in your walls, especially if they begin to appear more frequently. Ceiling cracks can also indicate foundation issues.
• Uneven floors: Your floors will become uneven as your foundation does. You may notice varying heights in different areas or a bouncy feeling as you walk across the floor.
• Skewed windows or doors: Windows and doors that become unaligned with their jambs or detach from their frames could be a sign that your foundation is shifting the walls away from their initial location.
• 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 specialists offer a variety of services from crack repair to underpinning. Even if you don't know what specifically is wrong with your foundation, a professional will inspect it and recommend a solution. Here are some common services they offer:

• Leak repair: As leaks can have many causes, such as plumbing problems or poor water redirection, a service provider's first step is to locate the cause of the leak. Then, they will resolve the issue and provide waterproofing solutions.
• Crack repair: Sealing cracks prevents moisture from coming in through the soil underneath. The crack's size, position and angle determine the type of sealant used. After cleaning 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.
• 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 a heavily involved process that involves lowering the footing onto more supportive ground to add strength and depth to an existing foundation. The process requires removing soil from the area and replacing it with concrete to create a new foundation. Costs vary based on the procedure, the technical expertise required and the number of piers added.
• Stabilization: If your foundation has started to sink, stabilization may be the best service for preventing further damage. This service supports your foundation, keeping it in place and preventing any additional movement. It's more budget-friendly and less disruptive than leveling. The main disadvantage is that it will not level out your home.
• Waterproofing: Interior and exterior waterproofing are some of the best ways to prevent future foundation issues. Interior waterproofing diverts water that has entered your basement or crawl space with a sump pump. Exterior waterproofing prevents water from entering at all by using a speed strip, dimple board, moisture barrier and proper drainage, such as a footer drain. Opt for the exterior method if your basement serves as a spare room, office or living space.

Questions to ask foundation repair pros in West Chester

Ask potential foundation repair companies the following questions to get the best fit for your needs.

Is your company properly licensed and insured?

Reputable foundation repair companies should be licensed and insured to safeguard you and your home. Even though the state of Ohio doesn't require specific licensing for contractors, many cities enforce their own legal requirements. We suggest opting for a professional with a contracting license and verifying the relevant regulations in your city or county with your local building department.

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

Find out if the contractor can identify what is causing the problem and what they think is the right fix. If they think raising your slab is the best course of action, find out what tools they'll need for the job and how high they'll raise it. You can also find out if stabilization is a reasonable alternative if the estimated cost is too high. Be sure to ask about the advantages and disadvantages of each solution, so you have a complete understanding of your choices. You can always get a second opinion from a different provider if you don't like the answer or feel they aren't being thorough enough.

How much will my foundation repairs cost?

Ask for an estimate of how much the repairs will cost you. If there are multiple options, get quotes in writing detailing everything from supplies to time on site. Often, professionals will offer estimates for free. Get multiple estimates so you can compare prices. How much your foundation repair job will cost depends on the severity of your foundation issues and how far it has spread.

Do you offer financing options?

Your service provider may offer financing options, such as installment plans, directly or through a third-party company. The foundation repair provider may also offer a percentage off if you pay in cash.

What kinds of warranties do you offer?

Ask what warranties the foundation repair 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 specific costs, such as materials used, for a certain number of years after the job is complete.

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 completed 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?

While foundation repairs are in progress, you can often remain inside your home. You may have to leave 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 West Chester home?

It's important to consult a professional if you believe you're currently experiencing foundation problems. However, you can also take proactive steps to protect your home's foundation from issues in the future.

Protecting your foundation when building a new home

If you're constructing a new house, ask your service expert about their foundation installation process. The area should be prepared by clearing it and ensuring fresh, level topsoil is in place before your service provider pours the concrete. Your contractor should make sure there's adequate drainage to stop water from gathering on or around the concrete slab. After your concrete is poured, it needs to cure fully. Based on the setting standards of the material used and the pour's thickness, the curing process may require up to 28 days.

Protecting the foundation of an existing home

The most effective approach to protect your foundation from future damage is through regular inspections. When you perform these checks, it's crucial to look out for any indications of breaking, cracking or shifting in or around your concrete slab. Similar damage on your walls and framings frequently points to foundation damage, 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 cause mold growth. Trim plants against your home to allow for proper air circulation, and ensure trees and their roots are kept away from your home.

Heat-related concrete shrinkage is not a major issue in West Chester because the summers are fairly gentle. Still, if your area goes through an extreme heat wave, you may want to water your concrete slab to help it retain moisture.

Finally, make sure to perform routine gutter cleanings. Gutters channel rainwater away from your foundation and siding, preventing water accumulation that can cause 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.