Get matched with top concrete repair specialists in Chaparral, NM

Most single-story homes don't have foundations strong enough to support a second story, but they can be reinforced for an addition. A structural engineer can assess your foundation and what needs to be done to get it ready. They'll look at any cracks or unevenness in your current foundation and consider any special framing or beams your home needs, especially if it’s in a high-wind or hurricane area.

“To support a second story, many structural engineers will require that you install additional concrete piers in the crawlspace,” says Tschudi. “This involves hand excavating, pouring a large concrete footing—usually with specially coated rebar—and then building concrete piers right up to the girders.”

Cement companies offer a wide variety of services, including delivering and pouring concrete for home foundations, walkways, patios, driveways, concrete steps, pools, pool decks, and more, plus concrete repair and patching. Most companies also have the ability to demolish and haul away old concrete landscaping features. It’s a good idea to reach out to a few different companies before hiring to make sure you choose one that can tackle the entirety of the project you have from start to finish. This method will typically save you some money over hiring multiple contractors.

Regularly inspecting your foundation—at least the visible sections—for signs of foundation issues like moisture and pest infestation is a good way to identify slab leaks early, as is keeping an eye and ear out for water damage to indoor building materials, above-average water bills, sounds of running water when no fixtures or appliances are on, and indoor humidity that causes the temperatures to feel more extreme. If you do find any issues, contact a plumber right away to check it out for you.

Foundation settling is normal and expected if just a small amount of settlement occurs within a year or so after construction. This usually results in hairline cracks in the foundation, which aren’t typically a problem. If settlement occurs years after construction, unevenly under your home, or results in signs of structural damage, then it could be very serious. Foundation stabilization and drainage system installation to fix unnatural settlement can cost tens of thousands of dollars and compromise the structural integrity of your entire home.