How do you test for foundation problems?

• <div><p>You can use a level or straight-edge to test for plumb foundation walls and a level slab, a level or a ball to check for sloping floors inside your home, and a hygrometer to look for moisture in your underhome area. Aside from these DIY tests, it’s important to get a foundation repair specialist or structural engineer to test the foundation to see if it’s supporting your structure properly. They can determine if the loads on the concrete are uneven or need reinforcement.</p></div>

Top-rated foundation repair specialists.

Get matched with top foundation repair specialists in Ester, AK

Q: Who pulls a permit for foundation repair?

• <div><p>Most building departments will require that a certified and licensed foundation repair professional or a structural engineer pull permits for foundation repair, so homeowners usually cannot pull them themselves. This helps ensure that an experienced professional completes all structural work on your home. Minor repairs that are technically DIYable often won&rsquo;t require permits, but it&rsquo;s still a good idea to <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/who-do-i-hire-foundation-repair.htm">hire a professional to carry out foundation repair</a>s.</p></div>

Q: Can a slab leak cause a sinkhole?

• <div><p>It is possible for a slab leak to cause a sinkhole, but it would have to be a particularly serious leak. A slab leak causes the land under your home to erode and if there is enough movement depressions will form in the ground, potentially causing a sinkhole.</p></div>

Q: What is the average lifespan of a house foundation?

• <div><p>The average home foundation lasts between 80 and 100 years, but some can last much longer with proper maintenance and routine inspections. The lifespan depends on the foundation type, soil conditions, climate, and construction quality. Poured concrete walls can last up to 200 years, brick or stone foundations over 100 years, cement block foundations 80 to 100 years, and pier foundations about 75 years. Factors that can shorten a foundation's life include expansive clay soil, poor weather conditions, low-quality building materials, improper construction, and tree roots. Signs of damage include sloping floors, bowing walls, cracks, and doors or windows that stick.</p></div>

Q: Does a crack in the basement floor mean foundation problems?

• <div><p>Not all cracks in the basement floor signal foundation problems. As the house settles, you&rsquo;ll notice very thin hairline cracks, which you don&rsquo;t need to worry about. Cracks that are 1/8 inch or wider should require sealing, while ones that are 1/2 inch or wider require leveling. However, if you have <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/are-cracks-my-basement-floor-problem.htm">cracks in your basement floor with heaving</a>, you should call a pro to assess the situation. Heaving can lead to uneven flooring, structural issues, and foundation problems.</p></div>

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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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%

1 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

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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

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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!

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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

Most building departments will require that a certified and licensed foundation repair professional or a structural engineer pull permits for foundation repair, so homeowners usually cannot pull them themselves. This helps ensure that an experienced professional completes all structural work on your home. Minor repairs that are technically DIYable often won’t require permits, but it’s still a good idea to hire a professional to carry out foundation repairs.

You can use a level or straight-edge to test for plumb foundation walls and a level slab, a level or a ball to check for sloping floors inside your home, and a hygrometer to look for moisture in your underhome area. Aside from these DIY tests, it’s important to get a foundation repair specialist or structural engineer to test the foundation to see if it’s supporting your structure properly. They can determine if the loads on the concrete are uneven or need reinforcement.

It is possible for a slab leak to cause a sinkhole, but it would have to be a particularly serious leak. A slab leak causes the land under your home to erode and if there is enough movement depressions will form in the ground, potentially causing a sinkhole.

The average home foundation lasts between 80 and 100 years, but some can last much longer with proper maintenance and routine inspections. The lifespan depends on the foundation type, soil conditions, climate, and construction quality. Poured concrete walls can last up to 200 years, brick or stone foundations over 100 years, cement block foundations 80 to 100 years, and pier foundations about 75 years. Factors that can shorten a foundation's life include expansive clay soil, poor weather conditions, low-quality building materials, improper construction, and tree roots. Signs of damage include sloping floors, bowing walls, cracks, and doors or windows that stick.

Not all cracks in the basement floor signal foundation problems. As the house settles, you’ll notice very thin hairline cracks, which you don’t need to worry about. Cracks that are 1/8 inch or wider should require sealing, while ones that are 1/2 inch or wider require leveling. However, if you have cracks in your basement floor with heaving, you should call a pro to assess the situation. Heaving can lead to uneven flooring, structural issues, and foundation problems.

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.