Are foundation repairs permanent?

• <div><p>Some foundation repairs are permanent, like underpinning and exterior drainage systems like the French drain. These fixes address the underlying problems—insufficient support from the soil and hydrostatic pressure on your foundation walls, respectively—so they can last for many decades, making them “lifetime fixes.” There are other solutions to address these issues that will last for up to a decade, making them temporary. These include slabjacking to raise concrete slabs back into place and dampproofing to reduce the water in the soil that interacts with the concrete foundation. </p></div>

Top-rated foundation repair specialists.

Get matched with top foundation repair specialists in Ester, AK

Q: Are hairline cracks in concrete a problem?

• <div><p>No, hairline cracks in concrete are generally not a problem as they do not impact the strength and longevity of the concrete. Generally, cracks less than 0.3 millimeter wide don&rsquo;t impact the structure. Hairline cracks can grow over time and weaken the structure, such as in a home foundation. Some hairline cracks can also cause leaks in a foundation. It&rsquo;s important to watch the cracks to see if they grow. Contact a concrete contractor if you notice cracks exceeding 0.3 millimeter wide.</p></div>

Q: How do you fix a sewer line under a slab?

• <div><p>Trenchless sewer replacements are actually a great solution for sewer lines located under concrete. A professional can still sleeve and burst old piping to make room for a new one without having to dig up your slab.</p></div>

Q: What type of foundation repair is best?

• <div><p>The foundation repair that will work best varies based on the extent of the damage, the underlying cause, soil conditions, weather conditions, and more. Permanent foundation solutions like underpinning and exterior drainage solutions are better than temporary fixes that don&rsquo;t address the source of the issue. Some examples of more temporary solutions include <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-mudjacking-cost.htm">mudjacking</a> or slabjacking, waterproof paint, and dampproofing. The best course of action is to have a reliable foundation specialist inspect your issue, treat the underlying problem, and restabilize your foundation.</p></div>

Q: How long does it take to fix a slab leak?

• <div><p>Minor slab leaks normally take around three hours to access and fix, provided the leak is in an accessible location. However, a more extensive leak or a leak in a hard-to-reach location can take several days to fix, depending on the resulting damage. You might also want to consider the timeline for the build-back if the leak damages building materials like flooring or cabinets, which can take several weeks, including delivery of the materials.</p></div>

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your foundation repair project in Ester, AK?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

Verified Reviews for Foundation Repair pros in Ester, AK

*The Angi rating for Foundation Repair companies in Ester, AK is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Foundation Repair needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Foundation Repair companies in Ester, AK is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Foundation Repair needs.

Last update on July 13, 2024

Reviewed in July 2024
I have had several homes repaired over the years by numerous contractors and this is by far the best experience I have ever had!! Would recommend 10/10!!
I. E. J., LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in February 2024
Repaired multiple holes in my drywall, large and small. Did the job correctly and professionally. He placed backer board, sheetrock patches, dry wall tape around the edges, and speckled in multiple coats. Then he sanded the areas, applied texture, and cleaned up all the debris. The repaired...
Armor Maintenance
Request a quote
Reviewed in October 2023
Branden was great to work with. He and his crew did a fantastic job of replacing our 20+ year old deck foundation. We had great communication and the job was done quickly and well. I recommend Roybal Construction highly!
Roybal Construction LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in June 2023
The repair guy will be back with my parts and will be doing a maintenance job on my dryer 10-14 days when the washer parts come in. He requested a 50% down payment before parts were order.
Appliance Doctor
Request a quote
Reviewed in May 2022
These guys are a new small business and have been a pleasure to work with so far and know their stuff. We had a door installed and a deck / stairs repaired and we'll be moving onto our kitchen next. All in all, fantastic service and friendly people! A good option for interior Alaska.
A & A Services
Request a quote
Reviewed in February 2021
I called three months ago to have an expansion tank and zone switches replaced on my boiler. They did not bring out any parts in order to repair. So they come out a second time to do the job. Was it fixed? No, zone switch failed and they left the water off for the basement. Third time they came...
Glacier Point Services (formerly Stack Company)
Request a quote
Reviewed in November 2020
Eric completed a garage ceiling repair for us and did a great job! He matched the pattern on the wallboard very nicely. He called to make sure we were satisfied with his job afterwards. I will definitely use WallDocs again.
Walldocs
Request a quote
Reviewed in September 2020
This a very responsive company & the owner worked directly with my insurance company. The crew was punctual & the repairs were a test of their Excellent skills to say the least. I will definitely call them if I ever need any other work to done.
Rhino Construction, LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in November 2016
Extraordinary service. Answered phone on first ring, came same day after hours, diagnosed and repaired our furnace in less than an hour. Made some no-pressure safety and improvement suggestions. All this with a very friendly attitude and fair price. Thank you Randy and Karl. You have a new...
Randy's Heating
Request a quote
Reviewed in November 2016
They charged my wife while I was out of town part after part claiming it needed the repair and yet regardless the car still had the same problem happening every time she drove. They charged her hundreds for each repair literally raping her of cash. They do not care about customer service only...
University Chevron
Request a quote

Find Foundation repair specialists in Ester

I. E. J., LLC

5.0(

)

Concrete Foundation - Repair

Serving Ester, AK and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2018

Emergency services offered

Small jobs welcome

"I have had several homes repaired over the years by numerous contractors and this is by far the best experience I have ever had!! Would recommend 10/10!!"

+62

Response time11 hrs

Response rate98%

2 neighbors recently requested a quote

Request Quote

Rhino Construction, LLC

5.0(

)

Foundation Drainage - Install or ReplaceFoundation, Basement or Crawlspace - Waterproofing / Encapsulation

Serving Ester, AK and surrounding areas

In business since 2005

Free estimates

"very professional. had a number of jobs that needed to be done. am very satisfied by the results of their work. would hire them again when I need other jobs done."

+102

Response time6 days

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Foundation Drainage - Install or Replace

Serving Ester, AK and surrounding areas

In business since 2017

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Employed all CoViD precautions. I felt very safe having a stranger in my house at this time. So nice having full power back."

Response time1 day

Recommended by66%of homeowners

Request Quote

Hampton Enterprise LLC

3.7(

)

Foundation Drainage - Install or ReplaceFoundation, Basement or Crawlspace - Waterproofing / Encapsulation

Serving Ester, AK and surrounding areas

In business since 1989

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"They were good. They were pretty fast and came on time. My overall experience with them has been good."

Recommended by60%of homeowners

Request Quote

Sub Zero Recovery & Removal

New to Angi

Foundation Drainage - Install or Replace

Serving Ester, AK and surrounding areas

In business since 1973

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

Here at Sub Zero Recovery & Removal we are here for all your needs. We have over 30 years of experience and have worked all around the Fairbanks area. We cater to every unique situation. We do both commercial and residential plowing. We also specialize in excavation work and construction clean ups. No matter the job, Sub Zero Recovery & Removal has you covered. Call us today!

Request Quote

Nifty Solutions LLC

New to Angi

Poured Concrete Wall - Repair

Serving Ester, AK and surrounding areas

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

We are a multiple service company providing Handyman services and concrete services at competitive rates

Request Quote

Foundation Repair questions, answered by experts

No, hairline cracks in concrete are generally not a problem as they do not impact the strength and longevity of the concrete. Generally, cracks less than 0.3 millimeter wide don’t impact the structure. Hairline cracks can grow over time and weaken the structure, such as in a home foundation. Some hairline cracks can also cause leaks in a foundation. It’s important to watch the cracks to see if they grow. Contact a concrete contractor if you notice cracks exceeding 0.3 millimeter wide.

Trenchless sewer replacements are actually a great solution for sewer lines located under concrete. A professional can still sleeve and burst old piping to make room for a new one without having to dig up your slab.

Some foundation repairs are permanent, like underpinning and exterior drainage systems like the French drain. These fixes address the underlying problems—insufficient support from the soil and hydrostatic pressure on your foundation walls, respectively—so they can last for many decades, making them “lifetime fixes.” There are other solutions to address these issues that will last for up to a decade, making them temporary. These include slabjacking to raise concrete slabs back into place and dampproofing to reduce the water in the soil that interacts with the concrete foundation.

The foundation repair that will work best varies based on the extent of the damage, the underlying cause, soil conditions, weather conditions, and more. Permanent foundation solutions like underpinning and exterior drainage solutions are better than temporary fixes that don’t address the source of the issue. Some examples of more temporary solutions include mudjacking or slabjacking, waterproof paint, and dampproofing. The best course of action is to have a reliable foundation specialist inspect your issue, treat the underlying problem, and restabilize your foundation.

Minor slab leaks normally take around three hours to access and fix, provided the leak is in an accessible location. However, a more extensive leak or a leak in a hard-to-reach location can take several days to fix, depending on the resulting damage. You might also want to consider the timeline for the build-back if the leak damages building materials like flooring or cabinets, which can take several weeks, including delivery of the materials.

The Ester, AK homeowners’ guide to foundation repairs

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

Ginny Bartolone
•
Aug 3, 2026Aug 3, 2026
How Much Does Foundation Repair Cost? [2026 Data]
Foundation repair costs can be tricky when you have a large repair on your hands. This guide walks through costs from small cracks to total replacement.
Timothy Moore
•
Aug 5, 2026Aug 5, 2026
How Much Does Pier and Beam Foundation Repair Cost? [2026 Data]
Worried about pier and beam foundation repair costs? Get a better understanding of how to budget by learning about the repair methods available to you.
Kyle Schurman
•
Jul 10, 2026Jul 10, 2026
How Much Does Underpinning a Foundation Cost? [2026 Data]
Unstable or sinking foundations require comprehensive and expensive solutions. Learn about foundation underpinning costs in this guide to set your budget.
Em Norton
•
Apr 6, 2026Apr 6, 2026
Who to Call to Repair Foundation Issues
Foundation issues are critical, so knowing how to manage them is too. Use this guide to learn who to call for foundation repair.
Catherine Hiles
•
Apr 6, 2026Apr 6, 2026
5 Questions to Ask About Concrete Foundation Repair
Minor foundation issues should be repaired before they become a major problem. When hiring a pro, consider these concrete foundation repair questions.
Em Norton
•
Jul 31, 2026Jul 31, 2026
What to Know Before Buying a House That Had Previous Foundation Repair
A house’s history of foundation repairs doesn’t always mean you shouldn’t buy it. Learn what to consider when purchasing a house with an unstable past.