11 Best Foundation Companies in Athens, OH

On average, Athens homeowners pay roughly $2,636 for foundation repair, although the total cost will vary widely depending on several factors. The fastest way to estimate the cost of a specific project is to get quotes from one or more local foundation repair companies. The amount you pay for a job will be determined by things like the size of your house and type of repair(s) needed.

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

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

Underpinning, also called leveling or piering, 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 required. The price of stabilization is also variable. 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.

Finally, waterproofing is an overarching term for a category of repairs designed to prevent 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 think your foundation needs waterproofing.

When caring for your foundation, you should make sure that it has the proper level of moisture. Avoid letting the soil around your Athens 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. Also be sure to quickly identify and repair any leaking gutters or pipes.

If you think there may be any problems with your foundation, you can call a structural engineer for an evaluation. This will cost a few hundred dollars, but the consultation can net you a list of things to be aware of as well as additional steps to further protect your foundation. Lastly, if you're building a new house, ensure that you have a soil report done. This can provide information regarding how well the soil on your property can support a foundation, and can highlight any potential future problems.

Permits are needed for most foundation repairs, but applying for one isn't your responsibility. Your foundation repair provider should get all the permits and other documents required in Athens, and should be able to explain the process and/or provide the documents if asked.

We caution against putting off foundation repairs. A seemingly small issue may have an underlying cause that could lead to numerous future problems, and it's best to get ahead of the issue as soon as possible. A minor problem now could become a large and expensive one in the future if left untreated.

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