11 Best Foundation Companies in DeKalb, IL

On average, DeKalb homeowners pay around $3,196 for foundation repair, although the cost will vary widely depending on several factors. The easiest way to get an estimate for the cost of a specific job is to request quotes from a few local foundation repair companies. The amount you pay for a job will be influenced by things like the size of your house and type of repair(s) needed.

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

Crack repair and leak repair are exactly as they sound: your foundation contractor will perform an inspection and take necessary measures to remedy cracks or leaks. Costs will depend on the size and cause of the issue.

Underpinning, also called piering or leveling, is the process of leveling your foundation by underpinning it with large concrete piers. The amount you can expect to spend depends on how many piers are needed. The price of stabilization varies similarly. This process involves fixing bowing walls by reinforcing them with carbon fiber or steel strips. The 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 stop water from getting into your foundation or basement. This can involve interior waterproofing, exterior waterproofing, or both, and the price can vary greatly. We recommend contacting a waterproofing specialist if you're interested in waterproofing your foundation.

One way to protect your foundation is to make sure it has the proper level of moisture. Avoid letting the soil around your DeKalb house become too wet or too dry – make changes to your gutter system to route water away, or water your foundation if it starts to get too dry. You should also make sure that you quickly identify and repair any leaking pipes or gutters.

If you have any concerns about your foundation, you can contact a structural engineer for an evaluation. This will run you a few hundred dollars, but the engineer's consultation can net you a list of potential concerns as well as steps you can take to further protect your foundation. Finally, if you're constructing a new house, ensure to have a soil report done. This report provides information about how well the soil on your property will be able to support a foundation and highlights potential future issues.

Your foundation repair expert should be the one obtaining the permits. You can request that the company provide a detailed explanation of the steps in its process and to see the permits and paperwork it has acquired to ensure everything is properly authorized per DeKalb regulations.

When your foundation is in need of waterproofing, you might start to notice signs like basement flooding, discoloration or odors, hairline cracks, white powder or spots on your walls, uneven floors, or signs of mold, mildew, or fungus.

Foundation repair, particularly very involved repairs like basement waterproofing, should last a long time. This is especially true if you hire a reliable company. By solving systemic foundation issues, or reinforcing key areas, you reduce your risk of future problems.