What this covers
Foundation repair addresses cracks, bowing walls and settlement in poured concrete, block or stone foundations. The company starts by finding the cause: soil that shrinks and swells, water against the wall, a footing that has settled, or a drain that failed. Cracks are sealed with epoxy or polyurethane injection from inside, bowing block walls are braced with steel beams or carbon fiber straps anchored to the floor and joists, and the drainage that caused the movement is corrected so the repair holds. Careful work records crack widths and wall plumb before and after, so you can see whether the wall has stopped moving.
When to call
- A vertical or stair-step crack in a basement wall that is widening or letting in water.
- A block wall that bows inward or has a horizontal crack along a mortar joint.
- Doors and windows that stick, or sloping floors and drywall cracks above one corner of the house.
- A home being rebuilt after a flood where the foundation took on water.
What to expect
- InspectThe company measures cracks, checks walls for plumb and looks at grading, gutters and drains outside.
- DiagnoseThe cause is identified, and the repair and any drainage correction are written up for you.
- RepairCracks are injected, walls are braced or anchored, and settlement is addressed with piers where needed.
- VerifyThe repair is photographed and the wall rechecked, and you walk the work with the company.
Get a certified company
Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.
Questions people ask
Are all foundation cracks serious?
No. Hairline vertical cracks from concrete shrinkage are common and often only need sealing against water. Horizontal cracks, stair-step cracks that widen, and cracks with one side offset point to pressure or settlement and need a structural look.
What is crack injection?
The crack is sealed at the surface with ports left open, then filled under low pressure with epoxy, which bonds the concrete back together, or polyurethane, which stays flexible and stops water. The company chooses by whether the crack is structural or only leaking.
What is a wall brace?
A steel beam set against a bowing wall and anchored to the floor slab and the joists above, or a carbon fiber strap bonded to the wall, which holds the wall in position. The drainage outside is corrected at the same time, since water pressure is what moved the wall.
Related: Foundation piering · Structural beam replacement · Concrete leveling · All foundation, basement and drainage
This page describes what the service involves. The company you hire sets the scope, the schedule and the price, and your contract is with that company. We verify credentials and collect reviews from real jobs. We do not guarantee any company's workmanship. Safety steps are general guidance. When in doubt, leave the home and call 911.