Protect your home from water damage and structural problems with expert foundation repair and waterproofing.
Your foundation is literally what holds your home up. When cracks appear, water seeps in, or bricks start crumbling, these are not just cosmetic issues. They are warning signs that your foundation needs help. Ignoring foundation problems does not make them go away. Instead, small cracks become big gaps, minor water issues turn into flooding basements, and what could have been a simple repair becomes a major expense.
In Fontana, foundation problems often come from soil movement, water infiltration, or simply age. Our clay-heavy soil expands when wet and contracts when dry, putting pressure on foundation walls. Add some occasional heavy rain or sprinkler overspray, and you have the perfect conditions for foundation damage. The good news? Most foundation problems can be fixed before they become serious.
We specialize in repairing brick and stone foundations, fixing cracks, replacing damaged sections, and waterproofing to prevent future damage. Whether you have noticed cracks in your basement walls, water pooling near your foundation, or doors that suddenly do not close right, we can diagnose the problem and fix it properly.
Foundation damage shows up in different ways. Sometimes the signs are obvious, like a crack you can stick your hand through. Other times they are subtle, like a door that sticks in summer but closes fine in winter. Here are the most common problems we see and fix.
Not all cracks are created equal. Hairline cracks less than one-eighth inch wide are common in concrete and often just surface issues. But wider cracks, especially horizontal ones or those that run in stair-step patterns through mortar joints, indicate real structural problems. If water seeps through cracks or they keep getting bigger, you need repairs now, not later.
When foundation walls start bowing inward or leaning, it means soil pressure is pushing against them from outside. This is serious. Left alone, a bowing wall can eventually collapse. We often see this in older homes with brick foundations or in areas where water saturates the soil next to the foundation.
If you find puddles in your basement after rain, see water stains on foundation walls, or smell mold and mildew, you have water getting where it should not be. Water damages masonry from the inside out, weakening mortar and causing bricks to crumble. It also creates health hazards from mold and ruins anything you store in the basement.
Old mortar gets soft and crumbly over time, especially when exposed to moisture. You might notice mortar falling out from between bricks, or bricks themselves flaking and crumbling. This is called spalling, and it weakens your foundation. In Fontana, where some homes date back decades, we see this fairly often in older brick foundations.
Every foundation is different, so we start by figuring out exactly what is causing your problems. Sometimes it is obvious, like a crack with water pouring through. Other times we need to do some detective work to find the root cause. Once we know what is wrong, we can fix it the right way.
For cracks that are not structural, we clean them out and fill them with hydraulic cement or epoxy injection. These materials bond strongly to existing concrete and brick, stopping water infiltration and preventing the crack from spreading. For larger cracks, we might need to dig out damaged mortar and repoint the joints with fresh mortar for lasting strength.
When walls bow or lean, we install steel reinforcements or carbon fiber straps to stop the movement and stabilize the wall. In severe cases, we might need to excavate outside the foundation, straighten the wall, and rebuild sections that are too damaged. The goal is always to restore structural integrity so your foundation can do its job for decades to come.
Sometimes individual bricks or concrete blocks in your foundation are too damaged to save. We carefully remove the damaged units and replace them with new ones that match the existing foundation. This is precision work because everything needs to line up correctly and bond properly with the surrounding masonry.
Parging is a cement coating we apply to foundation walls to seal them and create a smooth, weather-resistant surface. It is especially useful for older foundations where the brick or concrete has become porous. We also use parging to cover repaired areas and give your foundation a uniform appearance.
Fixing existing damage is only half the battle. You also need to prevent water from causing the same problems again. That is where waterproofing comes in. Proper waterproofing keeps your basement dry, protects your foundation, and gives you usable space instead of a damp storage area you avoid.
The most effective waterproofing happens outside your foundation before water even reaches the walls. We excavate around the foundation, clean and repair the walls, then apply a waterproof membrane. We also install drainage systems to direct water away from your home. Yes, exterior waterproofing is more involved than interior solutions, but it addresses the problem at the source and typically lasts much longer.
When exterior waterproofing is not practical or when you need a more budget-friendly option, interior waterproofing can still make a big difference. We apply waterproof coatings to interior foundation walls and install drainage systems inside the basement perimeter. These systems collect water that seeps through and direct it to a sump pump that removes it from your home.
Sometimes the best waterproofing solution is simply managing water better around your property. We look at grading around your foundation, clean or install gutters and downspouts, and create drainage channels that direct water away from your home. In Fontana, where rain can come in heavy bursts, good drainage prevents most water problems before they start.
A sump pump is your last line of defense against basement flooding. When water collects in the drainage system or enters your basement, the sump pump automatically kicks on and pumps it outside. We install reliable pumps with battery backup systems so they keep working even during power outages. You might never think about your sump pump, but you will be glad it is there when you need it.
The right waterproofing approach depends on your specific situation, budget, and the severity of your water problems. We assess everything during our inspection and recommend the solution that gives you the best protection for your investment.
Foundation damage only gets worse with time. Get a professional inspection and fix problems before they threaten your home. Call FMA Fontana Masonry at 909-587-5725 today.
Schedule Your InspectionFoundation repair costs vary dramatically depending on what needs to be done. Simple crack sealing might cost a few hundred dollars. Repointing mortar joints on a section of foundation could run $1,000 to $3,000. More extensive repairs like stabilizing bowing walls or replacing large sections of damaged brick can cost $5,000 to $15,000 or more.
Waterproofing adds to the total. Interior waterproofing systems typically cost $3,000 to $7,000. Exterior waterproofing, which requires excavation, often runs $8,000 to $15,000 or higher depending on how much of the foundation perimeter needs work.
We know these numbers sound scary, but remember that ignoring foundation problems leads to much bigger expenses down the road. We provide free inspections and detailed estimates so you know exactly what you are facing. Many repairs are more affordable than homeowners expect, especially when caught early.
Timeline depends on the scope of work. Minor crack repairs can be done in a day. Repointing sections of foundation might take two to five days. Major repairs involving wall stabilization or extensive brick replacement could take one to three weeks.
Exterior waterproofing projects typically take one to two weeks because of excavation, wall preparation, membrane installation, and backfilling. Interior waterproofing is usually faster, often completed in three to seven days depending on the basement size and system complexity.
We give you a realistic timeline during your estimate and keep you updated throughout the project. Most homeowners can continue living in their homes during foundation work, though you might need to avoid certain areas while we are working.
If we need to do exterior waterproofing or access the foundation from outside, yes, we will need to dig around your home. This means temporarily disturbing landscaping, plants, and hardscaping in those areas. We minimize the disruption as much as possible by working in sections and being careful with excavation.
Before we start, we discuss exactly what areas will be affected so you can move plants you want to save. After we finish the foundation work and backfill, you can replant or have landscaping restored. Some homeowners see it as an opportunity to redesign their landscaping, while others want everything put back exactly as it was.
Interior foundation work has no impact on your landscaping. If avoiding landscaping disruption is a priority, we can often address problems with interior solutions, though exterior waterproofing is typically more effective for serious water issues.
