11 Best Foundation Companies in Cincinnati, IL

On average, Cincinnati homeowners spend around $3,060 on foundation repair. The cost of foundation repair will vary greatly depending on several factors. Things like the type of repair needed, the size of your home, and the extent of the damage will all play a part. The fastest way to determine how much a job may cost is to talk to a local foundation repair expert and schedule a free inspection and estimate.

The primary types of foundation repair include crack repair, leak repair, underpinning, stabilization, and waterproofing.

Crack repair and leak repair are what they sound like: your foundation contractor will perform an inspection and complete any repairs necessary to remedy cracks or leaks. Costs will depend on the size and cause of the problem.

Underpinning, also called piering or leveling, is the process of leveling your foundation by underpinning it with large concrete piers. The cost will depend on how many piers are required. The price of stabilization varies similarly. This process reinforces bowing walls with carbon fiber or steel strips, and the total cost will depend on the material and how many strips are used.

Lastly, waterproofing is an overarching term for a number of jobs intended to prevent water from getting into your foundation or basement. This can include exterior waterproofing, interior waterproofing, or both, and costs can vary greatly. We recommend contacting a waterproofing specialist if you're planning to waterproof your foundation.

If you're constructing a new house, make sure that a soil report is completed. This report contains information about how well the soil on a given piece of land can support a foundation, and can provide you with a heads-up about any potential future problems. If you have concerns about an existing home, a few hundred dollars will cover an inspection and report by a structural engineer. The engineer can alert you to any things that could use some attention, and advise you on avoiding future problems.

You also want to make sure that the moisture around your foundation is at an appropriate level. Don't let the soil around your Cincinnati home get too dry or too wet; at different times, you might find yourself having to reroute your gutters or water your foundation. You should also stay vigilant for leaky gutters or pipes and repair them quickly.

Permits are needed for most foundation repairs, but applying for one shouldn't be your responsibility. Your foundation repair provider should put together the permit and all other documents required in Cincinnati, and should be able to explain the process and/or provide the documents before starting work.

Indicators that your foundation needs waterproofing include uneven floors, white powder or spots on your walls, basement flooding, discoloration or odors, hairline cracks, or signs of mildew, fungus, or mold. Your contractor can inform you whether you need interior or exterior waterproofing.

Interior waterproofing can involve the installation of sump pumps and drains or the use of sealants and generally is less costly than exterior waterproofing. Exterior waterproofing can involve things like applying physical barriers to basements and crawl spaces, making landscape changes, or installing exterior drains.

We advise against putting off foundation repairs. A seemingly small issue may have an underlying cause that could lead to numerous future problems, and it's better to get ahead of the issue as soon as possible. A small and moderately costly problem now could turn into a large and expensive one in the future if the signs are ignored.