10 best foundation repair companies in Marion, Ohio

The foundation plays an important role in your home's stability. A deteriorating foundation can cause your house to break down, leading to unsafe conditions for you and your loved ones and pets. Cracks in or around your home's exterior are a big clue that something is wrong with your foundation and should be inspected immediately by a foundation repair expert.

Foundations in Marion are vulnerable to moving and breaking 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 troubles make your home unsafe, but they also make it harder to sell. Prospective buyers are hesitant to deal with the cost of foundation repair or related issues. Your home's market value will rise when it comes time to sell if you address your foundation problems. Get in touch with a foundation repair company in Marion immediately when your foundation is at risk.

Find the best local foundation repair companies for you in Marion

Look for foundation repair companies in Marion 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. Some are more urgent than others.

• Visible foundation cracks: Cracks in your foundation are usually the first hint of a larger problem. They can be detected early if you routinely inspect the concrete and support framing below and around your house.
• Cracked chimney: Your foundation may be damaged if your chimney is cracked or starts to lean.
• 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 unaligned with their jambs.
• Moisture in the crawl space: Discovering mildew, mold and moisture in your crawl space can be a strong sign of looming foundation problems, such as a sinking foundation.
• 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 indicate foundation problems.
• Uneven floors: When your foundation starts to shift and become uneven, your floors will too. They may have uneven sections or feel bouncy.
• Loose or stuck doors: As a broken foundation shifts, spaces form in the walls, causing doors to get stuck when closed or fail to close properly at all.

What services do foundation repair companies offer?

Foundation repair pros in Marion provide a variety of services. Even if you're unsure of what the specific issue is, a pro will take a look at your foundation and recommend a solution. Here are some typical services they offer:

• Leak repair: As leaks can have a few different causes, such as plumbing problems or poor water redirection, a service professional's first step is to determine the cause of the leak. Then, they will resolve the problem and give you waterproofing solutions.
• Crack repair: Sealing cracks stops moisture from rising through the soil underneath. The crack's position, size and angle determine which sealant the professional uses. 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, contractors generally suggest underpinning, also known as leveling or piering. This is a complex procedure that involves lowering the footing onto more stable 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. Costs vary based on the technical expertise required, the procedure and the number of piers added.
• Stabilization: If your foundation is sinking and you're looking for a solution that's more budget-friendly and less invasive than leveling, stabilization might be the best choice. This process supports your foundation, keeping it in place and stopping any additional movement or damage to your foundation. The one downside is that it will not level out your house.
• Waterproofing: Among the most effective methods to avert future issues with your foundation is waterproofing. Interior waterproofing uses a sump pump to divert water that has entered your crawl space or basement. Exterior waterproofing uses a speed strip, moisture barrier, dimple board and proper drainage, such as a footer drain to stop water from getting in at all. If you use your basement as a spare room, office or living space, you will want to choose the exterior method.

Questions to ask foundation repair pros in Marion

Maintaining your foundation is critical, so to make sure you get the best fit for your foundation repair needs, ask technicians you're comparing 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. 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?

Ask the service provider if they can identify what is causing the problem and what they think is the best 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 a possibility instead. To get a thorough understanding of your choices, ask about the pros and cons of each method. You can always ask for a second opinion from a different provider if you don't like the answer or feel they aren't being detailed enough.

How much will my foundation repairs cost?

Ask potential contractors for a quote. For projects where you have to choose between different choices, make sure you ask for quotes in writing detailing everything from materials to time on site. Most reputable businesses will give you a free estimate, and it's a good idea to get multiple for price comparison. The overall foundation repair cost varies based on the severity of your foundation issues and how far the problem reaches.

Do you offer financing options?

Some contractors may offer financing options, such as payment 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 protection you'll have once the repairs are complete. 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?

Foundation repairs can take anywhere from one day to two months, with the extent of the damage largely determining the timeline.

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?

Foundation repair projects are usually safe and unintrusive enough that you can comfortably remain inside your home throughout the project. You may have to leave or relocate if the contractor has to cut into your floor or ceiling, which is usually only needed for bigger projects such as installing interior supports.

How can you protect the foundation of your Marion home?

If you think your home has foundation problems, 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

If you're building a new house, ask your contractor about their foundation installation process. Before the concrete is poured, the lot should be cleared and have fresh, level topsoil spread over the area. You should also have adequate drainage to keep water from accumulating on or around the concrete slab. The concrete should be allowed to cure completely 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 follow the setting standards specific to your slab.

Protecting the foundation of an existing home

Frequent inspections are the most effective way to protect your home's foundation. During these assessments, check for signs of cracking, breaking or shifting in or around your concrete slab. Examine your walls and framings for similar damage, as these commonly signal foundation trouble.

Clean off dirt and debris from around your foundation's base as buildup can trap moisture and breed mold that threatens your foundation. To promote adequate air circulation, trim plants that are growing against your home, and make sure that trees and their roots are kept away from your home's foundation.

The moderately warm summers in Marion mean that you don't have to be too concerned about concrete shrinkage due to heat. Still, consider watering your concrete slab during a heat wave to ensure it stays moist.

Lastly, keep your gutters clean. Gutters redirect rainwater away from your foundation and siding, stopping pooling water 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.