Foundation repair in Baton Rouge, LA.

Why Baton Rouge foundations move

Most of the Baton Rouge area sits on clay soil that swells when it gets wet and shrinks when it dries out. South Louisiana swings between heavy rain and long, hot dry spells, so the ground under a slab is always moving a little. Over years, that movement pushes some parts of a foundation up and lets others settle. The result is cracked slabs, sticking doors, sloping floors and gaps around windows and trim.

Water makes it worse. Poor gutters, downspouts that dump next to the slab, flat yards and broken plumbing lines all change the moisture under one side of a house faster than the other. That uneven moisture is what causes most of the foundation damage we see in East Baton Rouge, Livingston and Ascension parishes. We fix the damage and the water problem that caused it, so the repair lasts.

Signs your foundation needs attention

• Cracks in sheetrock, especially at the corners of doors and windows
• Doors that stick, swing open on their own or won't latch
• Stair-step cracks in brick or gaps between brick and window frames
• Floors that slope, dip or feel uneven when you walk across them
• Cracks in tile floors or a slab crack you can catch a fingernail in
• Gaps between baseboards and the floor, or between walls and the ceiling
• Windows that are hard to open or close
• Water pooling against the slab after rain

One small crack is not always a problem; every slab cracks a little as concrete cures. Several of these signs together, or cracks that are getting wider, usually mean the foundation is moving and should be checked.

How we repair slab and pier-and-beam foundations

Every job starts with a free inspection. We measure the floor with a digital level to map high and low spots, look at the cracks inside and out, check drainage around the house and talk with you about what you've noticed and when it started. Then you get a written explanation of what's happening and a fixed price for the repair, with options where there are options.

For slab foundations, the most common fix is pressed pilings: steel or concrete piers driven deep under the house until they reach firm soil, then used to lift and support the slab. For pier-and-beam homes, we replace or reset failing piers, add supports, and shim or replace damaged beams to level the floor. After the house is level, we make sure the drainage around it keeps the soil moisture steady so it stays that way.

What foundation repair costs in Baton Rouge

The price depends on how many piers the house needs, the type of foundation, how much the house has moved and whether plumbing or drainage work is involved. A small area of settlement might need a handful of piers. A whole-house lift needs many more. Pier-and-beam repairs are often less expensive than slab repairs.

You'll get a written quote after the inspection, not a guess over the phone. Ask about financing when you book; many homeowners spread the cost over time. Most quality pier systems also come with a long-term transferable warranty, which helps when you sell the house.

Why homeowners call us

• Free inspection with a floor-level map you can keep
• Straight answers: if you don't need a repair, we'll say so
• Fixed written quotes with no surprise add-ons
• Repairs backed by a transferable warranty
• We address drainage too, so the problem doesn't come back
• Local to Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, Prairieville, Gonzales, Zachary and Central

Foundation problems rarely fix themselves, and the longer a house keeps moving, the more drywall, tile, brick and plumbing damage it causes. A free inspection takes about an hour and tells you exactly where you stand.