Whether you’re at home just pondering away about foundation repairs or if you’re curious about a particular repair – what’s wrong, who does the repairs, and how is it repaired? One Connecticut expert answers several important foundation questions.

Q: What is the cost of fixing a foundation in Connecticut?

Foundation repair costs can vary greatly, sometimes by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The cost depends on a number of variables, but the main factors are described below:

Foundation type. Some foundation types are more easily repaired than others. For example, a poured concrete wall is usually less difficult to fix than a wall constructed from stone or brick.
Area and magnitude of damage. As might be expected, the more extensive the damage, the more sliding glass door replacement the repair is likely to be.
Accessibility for repair crew & equipment. When access is limited, such as in a narrow crawl space, it will become more difficult for workers and their equipment to maneuver-most likely increasing repair costs.
Q: What are the methods of fixing a concrete slab foundation in Connecticut?
A concrete slab that has cracked and/or shifted up or down will probably be stabilized with piers and brackets or by mud jacking. Steel piers installed beneath or alongside the slab can connect the slab to better load-bearing soil or bedrock. Steel brackets connect the piers to the slab. Many slab repairs can be completed within one or two days.

Q: Who can I call to repair a stone foundation in CT?
A foundation repair contractor who has experience with older houses should be able to handle this type of repair. Sometimes the existing stone foundation can be repaired. In other cases, damaged sections of the original foundation may need to be replaced with new materials – either poured concrete or concrete block. No matter the solution, an experienced foundation repair contractor can repair these stone foundations.

Q: How do you repair a shifting retaining wall in Connecticut?
Some earth behind the wall may need to be removed so that the retaining wall can be pulled back into proper alignment. It may also be necessary to install drain lines that prevent water from building up behind the wall. The work of pulling a retaining wall back into its original position is typically accomplished with helical anchors and hydraulic jacks. The anchors are designed to screw into the soil, which are then pulled deeper and deeper by helical plates being welded to pier shafts. Once stable soil has been reached, a bracket is attached to the end of the pier and the wall is jacked back into alignment before permanently affixing the bracket.

Q: What kind of foundation crack repair services are available in Connecticut?
Minor cracks in foundations can often be repaired by the homeowner or by a remodeling contractor. However, if the crack is wider than ¼ in. or if the foundation has not only cracked but also shifted, it’s important to enlist the services of an experienced foundation repair specialist. If a crack reappears after it’s been repaired with patching mortar or sealant, this indicates that a structural issue exists and a foundation repair contractor should be called.