Foundation Repair in Baton Rouge, LA
Foundation repair stops a foundation from moving and, where it is safe, brings it back toward level. We repair slab and pier-and-beam foundations in Baton Rouge neighborhoods like Broadmoor and Merrydale, and in Central and Zachary, starting with measurements rather than guesses.
- Free written inspection report
- Permits through the Permit & Inspection Division of the Department of Development
- Plain answers on repair or monitor
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Please call us at (225) 396-8627.
What Causes the Damage
Most foundation movement here comes from the soil. Louisiana has clay soils that swell when wet and shrink when dry, and Baton Rouge is named among the southern Louisiana urban centers where expansive-soil property losses concentrate. When the clay under one side of a house swells after heavy rain and the other side dries out under a big tree, the slab bends. Over years that shows up as cracks, sticking doors, and sloping floors.
Other causes include poor drainage that pools water at the foundation, a plumbing leak under the slab, fill soil that was not compacted when the lot was built, and, under raised homes, piers that were never set deep enough. Finding the cause matters as much as the repair; piers alone will not help if a gutter keeps soaking one corner.
Repair Methods
Pressed Piers
Steel or concrete sections pressed down to firmer soil under a slab.
Helical Piers
Screw-in steel piers for lighter loads and tight access.
Pier Reset
New or reset piers and shims under a raised home.
Drainage Fixes
Gutters, grading, and downspout runs to steady soil moisture.
Slab Foundations
For a slab home, the usual repair is to dig small access holes along the low side, install piers down to soil that does not swell and shrink as much, and transfer the weight of the house onto them. Once the piers are set, the slab can often be lifted part of the way back. We take elevation readings before, during, and after, so you can see what changed.
Lifting is done with care. A slab that has sat out of level for years may not return fully without cracking brick or tile, and we tell you that up front. Sometimes the right goal is to stop the movement and level only as far as the house allows.
Pier-and-Beam Foundations
Raised homes, common in the Garden District and older parts of the city, have different problems: sunken or leaning piers, rotted sills, and joists that sag between supports. Repair usually means adding piers, resetting shims, sistering or replacing damaged joists, and replacing rotted wood. See house leveling for how that work is done, and foundation crack repair if cracks are your main concern.
The Process
How a Repair Goes
Inspect
Elevation readings, crack mapping, and a drainage check.
Plan
Written repair plan with pier locations and price.
Permit
Permit filed with the Permit & Inspection Division of the Department of Development when required.
Repair and Verify
Piers installed, lift where safe, final readings.
Permits and Contractor Rules
Structural foundation work in the city often needs a permit. We confirm requirements with the Department of Development, Permit & Inspection Division at 300 N Tenth Street and file when needed. Louisiana also regulates contractors: home improvement work on an existing home valued at $7,500 or more falls under LSLBC rules, so ask any company you hire to show its standing with the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) and get the scope in writing.
After the Repair
Once a foundation is stable, cosmetic cracks in drywall and brick can be patched without coming back. We recommend keeping soil moisture steady around the house: gutters that drain away from the foundation, soil sloped away from the walls, and big trees kept at a distance. In a long dry spell, the shrinking of shrink-swell clay, which is found across Louisiana can still move unrepaired parts of a house, so we point out any area we did not pier and why.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
Ask what is causing the movement and how the repair addresses it. Ask how many piers, where, and how deep they go. Ask whether the plan includes lifting, how far, and what might crack in the process. Ask who files the permit and what happens if the house moves after the work. Clear, written answers are the best sign of a repair that will hold.
Common Questions
Repair work Questions
How much does it cost to fix a foundation?
It depends on how many piers are needed, the type of foundation, and access. A few piers on one corner costs far less than a whole-house repair. Permits through the Permit & Inspection Division of the Department of Development are included in our written price when required, so the number you see is complete.
How long does repair work take?
Many slab pier jobs take a few days once the permit is issued; larger or raised-home repairs can take longer. We schedule any required inspection with the Permit & Inspection Division of the Department of Development and give you the timeline in writing before work starts.
Will my foundation move again after repair?
Piered areas are designed to stay put. Unpiered areas can still respond to clay soils that swell when wet and shrink when dry, which is why we also fix drainage and explain which parts of the house were stabilized and which were not.
Get Started
Want measured answers? Book a free foundation inspection or return to the home page.