Get matched with top concrete repair specialists in Fowler, CA

In most cases, it is safe to live in a home with minor foundation problems, but you should not let the issues persist. Virtually all foundations have small cracks from normal settlement, which are not a structural concern but should be sealed to prevent water intrusion. However, major damage—such as large structural cracks, sinking foundations, or bulging walls—can make a home unsafe. Other issues that can pose safety and health risks include poor indoor air quality from mold or pests, uneven floors, and rotten beams or joists. It is always best to have a foundation repair expert or structural engineer inspect any issues to determine if your home is safe to live in.

It’s crucial to hire a foundation company that’s professional, experienced, and reliable, starting by choosing local experts with at least five to ten years of experience with your type of project. Local foundation companies will understand the soil and weather conditions in your area and can carry out the best solution based on your property characteristics. You should ask for a list of customer references, read through online reviews, and check for customer complaints and unresolved issues filed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) before hiring.

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.

Most of the time, normal foundation settling will present as thin cracks in the foundation and minor creaks in the floorboards. In contrast, you can identify foundation issues by wide or uneven foundation cracks, horizontal or step-shaped gaps on the foundation wall, or cracks that go around corners of your foundation. Foundation problems can also cause changes in your living area, like increased humidity, uneven or sloping floors, nail pops in drywall, countertops pulling away from the wall, and windows and doors getting stuck. When in doubt, call in a professional to identify the underlying cause.