Foundation repair in Allentown PA - a foundation that stops moving and stays put
Cracks in the basement wall, a wall bowing in or doors that stick? We find what's moving and fix the cause, not just the crack.
What does it take to fix a cracked or bowing foundation?
Foundation repair in Allentown, PA deals with a foundation that's cracking, heaving or bowing, stabilizing the house and, where part of it has settled, lifting it back close to where it started.
Most people call me after spotting a crack in the basement wall, a wall that's started leaning in, or a door upstairs that suddenly won't latch. A crack tells you something moved but not why, and the why decides the repair, so the first job is working out whether the wall is being pushed in, settling or just shrinking the way concrete does.
The price mostly follows how big the problem is, from sealing a few cracks to supporting a whole wall, along with how much digging it takes and what has to be put back afterward. The schedule turns on whether your address needs a permit and on what we find once the wall or floor is open, which I won't pretend to know until then, and the estimate I write up after walking the job puts your scope in writing.
- We work on poured and block foundations that are cracking, heaving, settling or bowing inward.
- Repairs range from sealing minor cracks to helical piers that hold or lift a settled wall.
- We look at the whole foundation, not just the crack you called about, before suggesting anything.
What happens after you call about your foundation?
Here's how a foundation job goes with us, from your first call to the final walk-through. I'm the one who comes out, and I stay on the job with our crew until it's finished.
Call or send a message
Call (610) 424-2415 or send the form, and we'll get back to you to set up a time for me to come out. We're open 7 AM to 11 PM, seven days a week.
Walk the foundation with me
I come out myself, look at the walls inside and out with you, and show you what I'm seeing before I explain your options. Then I write up an estimate that puts the repair, where we'd dig and the cost in writing, and nothing starts until you've decided.
Check permits, then do the work
Once you're ready, we check with your local office about permits for your address. Then I work alongside our small crew on the repair, digging only where the plan calls for it.
Walk the finished job together
When the repair's done, we walk through it with you before we pack up. You see what was done, ask anything you like, and we leave the site clean.
Foundation walls, piers and masonry repair up close
These photos show the kind of foundation and masonry work this page talks about, from cracked basement walls to finished repairs. They're examples of the trade, so call us when you want to talk through your own wall.
Outdoor kitchen with a gray stone-block counter, stainless steel grill and cabinets, beneath a thatched roof.
A paved patio at dusk has an umbrella-covered table and cushioned chairs beneath glowing string lights.
Curved gray paver walkway leads from a porch through a landscaped yard toward the street.
Low retaining wall of large rough-cut stones borders a landscaped garden beside a concrete walkway.
A wide gray paver driveway with a light stone border leads to a large white house surrounded by tropical plants.
Stone outdoor fireplace burning beneath a covered patio, with string lights and seating around it at night.
Get a written foundation repair estimate for your house
Send the form or call (610) 424-2415, and we'll reply within one business day to set up a free estimate at your property, with no obligation. Photos of the cracks or bowing wall and your address help.
(610) 424-2415Foundation repair questions from Allentown homeowners
Here are straight answers to what people ask when a basement wall cracks or a corner starts to sink. If your question isn't here, call and I'll walk you through it.
How much does foundation repair cost in Pennsylvania?
Foundation repair in Pennsylvania usually costs about $500 to $25,000 per job, depending mostly on how big the problem is. Sealing minor cracks sits at the low end and major structural work with a lot of piering sits at the top, since piers are priced one at a time and most jobs need several. I'll walk the job with you and put the scope in writing so you know where yours lands before you decide.
Can we stay in the house while helical piers are installed?
Usually, yes. One pier maker says helical piles go in with portable equipment, even in tight indoor spaces, and without the vibration of driven piles, so by its account a household can stay home with little inconvenience. We'll go over which parts of the yard or basement we need before work starts.
How do I apply for a building permit in Allentown?
Allentown takes permit applications online at css.allentownpa.gov. The application asks who's doing the work, the estimated project cost and plans if they're needed. On jobs we take on, we're fully licensed and insured, and we handle the application when one's required.
What causes sinkholes in Lehigh County?
In karst ground, which is common over the limestone and dolostone under parts of Lehigh County, natural drains in the rock are usually plugged with soil, and water can flush them open and leave a sinkhole. A statewide project mapped county areas over that bedrock with a reported history of sinkholes, plus areas that may be prone to them. That map shows areas, not a verdict on any one house, so I look at what your foundation is actually doing.
Do I need to call 811 before foundation work?
One pier install guide calls for dialing 811, the national call-before-you-dig number, before any digging. Buried utilities then get marked with paint or flags, so don't be surprised to see them in your yard before a trench or pier hole goes in.
What happens after a house is lifted on helical piers?
One pier install guide calls for checking doors and windows, finishing crack repair and waterproofing, inspecting the drain tile, the pipe that carries water away from the footing, and taking final elevation readings. Not every estimate covers all of that, so ours spells out which finishing work after the repair is included.
Foundation repair in Allentown and nearby cities
Allentown City Hall takes building permits, though its list doesn't name foundation repair, so we check for your address and handle the application if one's needed. We do the same work in Bethlehem, Phillipsburg, NJ and other cities nearby.