10 best foundation repair companies in West Hartford, Connecticut

The foundation is a critical part of your house. A deteriorating foundation can cause your house to crumble, resulting in unsafe conditions for you and your loved ones and pets. If you see any cracks on your home's exterior, your foundation must be examined by a professional foundation repair technician urgently.

The average annual rainfall of 49 inches in West Hartford creates moisture risks for your foundation. As heavy rain continuously falls surrounding your home, the soil absorbs the water and swells. This swelling soil base can put pressure on your foundation's concrete, possibly leading to the development of cracks and air gaps.

Not only do foundation issues make your home unsafe, but they also make it harder to sell. Prospective buyers are reluctant to deal with the expense of foundation repair or related problems. When you decide to sell, your home's value will improve if you address your foundation issues. Contact a West Hartford foundation repair company immediately if you suspect your foundation is at risk.

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

Look for foundation repair companies in West Hartford 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 a range of signs your foundation needs repair. Some are more urgent than others.

• Visible foundation cracks: Cracks in your foundation are often the first sign of trouble. You can catch them early if you regularly check the concrete and support framing around and under your house.
• 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.
• Skewed windows or doors: A shifting foundation can cause your walls to move, leading to your doors or windows pulling away from their frames or becoming misaligned with their jambs.
• Uneven floors: When your foundation starts to shift and become uneven, your floors will too. They may have raised and sunken areas or feel springy.
• Cracked chimney: Your foundation may be damaged if your chimney is cracked or starts to tilt.
• Loose or stuck doors: Gaps develop in the walls when a compromised foundation shifts, resulting in doors that jam when closed or fail to shut fully.
• Cracks in walls or ceiling: Be on the lookout for diagonal cracks in your walls, especially if they start to surface more frequently. Ceiling cracks can also point to foundation issues.

What services do foundation repair companies offer?

Foundation repair companies perform a range of services. Even if you don't know precisely what is wrong, a professional will inspect your foundation and instruct you on the best solution. These are some typical services offered by foundation repair experts in West Hartford:

• Leak repair: As leaks can have several causes, such as poor water redirection or plumbing problems, a technician's first step is to locate the cause of the leak. Then, they will repair the problem and offer waterproofing solutions.
• Crack repair: Sealing cracks prevents moisture from coming in through the soil underneath. The crack's angle, position and size determine the type of sealant used. 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, stabilization may be the best option for preventing further damage. This technique supports your foundation, keeping it in place and stopping any additional movement. It's more economical and less invasive than leveling. The main disadvantage is that it will not level out your home.
• Underpinning: When your foundation is failing or you need additional space above the foundation, professionals generally suggest 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 method 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: Interior and exterior waterproofing are some of the best ways to prevent future foundation issues. Interior waterproofing diverts water that has come into your basement or crawl space with a sump pump. Exterior waterproofing prevents water from entering at all through a speed strip, dimple board, moisture barrier and proper drainage, such as a footer drain. Use the exterior method if your basement serves as a spare room, office or living space.

Questions to ask foundation repair pros in West Hartford

The right expert is important when maintaining your foundation. To pinpoint your best fit, ask potential foundation repair companies the following questions.

Is your company properly licensed and insured?

Reputable foundation repair companies should be licensed and insured to protect 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 best fix. If they suggest 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 provider to make sure you have a thorough understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of each. You can always ask for a second opinion from another provider if you don't like the answer or feel they aren't being detailed enough.

How much will my foundation repairs cost?

Get an estimate from the repair specialist you're vetting to determine how much the project will cost. Make sure you get quotes in writing that detail everything from supplies to labor hours, especially if there are multiple options. Often, contractors will offer quotes for free. Get more than one quotes 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?

Some contractors may offer financing options, such as installment plans or a percentage off if you pay in cash. Financing offers may also be available through external companies that partner with your foundation repair company.

What kinds of warranties do you offer?

Find out about a company's warranty options so you'll know what coverage you'll have once the repairs are complete. They may offer 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?

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

Fixing cracks and leaks may only take a few days if no additional damage is present. Waterproofing projects can span one day to a week, depending on the scope of the work. Pier repairs often take three to four weeks, whereas underpinning can take between four and six weeks.

Can I remain in my home while foundation repairs are being completed?

While foundation repairs are in progress, you can usually remain inside your home. You may have to leave if the technician 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 Hartford home?

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

Protecting your foundation when building a new home

For those building a new home, talk with your contractor about their foundation installation process. The lot should be prepared by clearing it and ensuring fresh, level topsoil is in place before the concrete is poured. Adequate drainage must also be established to prevent water from gathering on or around the concrete slab. The concrete needs to cure completely after it's poured. Your foundation expert has to follow the setting standards for the products used and the thickness of the pour, which may take up to 28 days.

Protecting the foundation of an existing home

To protect your home's foundation, perform routine inspections. As you inspect your concrete slab, stay alert for any breaking, cracking or shifting around or within the concrete. Be sure to examine your walls and framings too. Similar damage to these areas can also point to foundation trouble.

Protect your foundation by clearing away dirt and debris from its base as buildup can hold moisture and encourage mold growth. Sufficient air circulation around your home is critical, so cut back any plants growing against it. Additionally, make sure that trees and their roots are kept away from your home to stop potential damage.

Luckily, West Hartford doesn't have particularly 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 exceptionally high temperatures.

As a final step, make sure to perform routine gutter cleanings. Gutters help stop water damage by redirecting rainwater away from your house'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.