Foundation repair and basement waterproofing fall beyond even the most advanced DIYer’s skillset. Helitech Waterproofing & Foundation Repair’s licensed professionals can take on these big jobs, plus various other home repair tasks.
Read on to learn more about Helitech, its services, what customers think, and what you might expect during your first appointment.
Key Takeaways
- Helitech is a family-owned foundation repair and waterproofing company founded in 1987 that has worked on over 100,000 properties with 215 professionals.
- The company offers free estimates and multiple financing options for services including basement waterproofing, foundation crack repair, crawl space encapsulation, and concrete leveling using proprietary systems like HydraDry and HydraLock.
- Helitech has mixed customer reviews, with some praising professionalism while others report concerns about work quality and pricing.
Company Background
CEO Jason Courtney, along with his father and brother, founded Helitech in 1987. The trio started the Belleville, Illinois-based company to supplement their farming income. It has since grown to establish multiple offices in Illinois and Missouri that service St. Louis and surrounding areas.
Helitech has experienced steady growth in the past 35 years, now employing 215 home repair and improvement professionals. To date, the company has worked on more than 100,000 properties.
Helitech also owns a civil construction company, CNC Foundations, that offers foundation repair, waterproofing, and other services on a commercial scale.
What Services Does Helitech Offer?
Helitech offers solutions such as repairing cracks, waterproofing, and leveling to remediate complex foundation issues. Below are some of Helitech’s most common services.
Helitech specializes in interior and exterior basement waterproofing. Helitech’s proprietary HydraDry basement waterproofing system, paired with a sump pump, will keep water out of your basement and away from your foundation. Helitech offers several sump pump models to ensure your home stays dry.
Pro Tip: A battery backup is an important add-on for any sump pump system. As noted in This Old House Magazine, “A battery backup is recommended to keep the pump running if power goes out in a big rainstorm.” This is especially critical if you’ve invested in finishing your basement with carpeting, a workshop, or a play area—all of which can be damaged by even a single flooding event.
Helitech is experienced in encapsulating crawl spaces and ensuring they are properly ventilated. Its encapsulation system, HydraLock, separates the home from the soil below to keep the space dry. The company’s HydraAir dehumidifiers are also available to remove moisture from the area.
Pro Tip: Ross Trethewey, This Old House building engineer, explains the importance of crawl space encapsulation: “Today, the general consensus is that crawl spaces should be ‘encapsulated,’ or sealed so that they are inside the building envelope and isolated from exterior conditions.” According to Trethewey, most of the work involved in encapsulating a crawl space has to do with insulation, air sealing, and moisture control.
Several things can cause foundation issues, but Helitech can provide a custom solution to any foundation damage. Some foundation repair services include crack injections, wall anchors, pier installation, support columns, and sill plate replacement.
Pro Tip: Structural engineer Jim Graham, writing in This Old House Magazine, advises that not every foundation crack requires repair: “On a poured foundation, a web of hairline cracks or widely spaced vertical cracks less than 1/8 inch wide generally mean the concrete shrank a bit too much as it cured. Unless they grow wider or leak water, these can usually be left alone. Cracks 1/8 inch wide or wider deserve a closer look.” He also notes that horizontal cracks are especially concerning because they indicate soil pressure is pushing the wall inward.
Helitech understands that not all foundation crack sare serious, so it offers a free consultation to determine if action is needed. If there is a major crack, Helitech can use materials such as epoxy or carbon fiber to repair the crack. If it is serious enough, professionals can rebuild or replace the foundation wall.
Pro Tip: According to This Old House Magazine, crack orientation matters as much as crack width. Horizontal cracks indicate that soil is exerting enough pressure on the wall to make it bulge inward—a serious structural concern that may require reinforcement with carbon fiber straps or even wall replacement. Vertical cracks, on the other hand, are more commonly the result of concrete shrinkage and are often less urgent.
Helitech offers polyurethane leveling and mudjacking for sunken concrete slabs. Both methods raise the concrete to its original level by drilling and filling holes to raise the slab. As the name suggests, polyurethane leveling uses polyurethane to fill the holes and has a faster set time, while mudjacking uses a concrete blend.
Pro Tip: According to This Old House Magazine, mudjacking involves drilling a series of 2-inch-diameter holes through the sunken slab, then pumping quick-setting cement and sand grout through the holes under pressure. The pressure lifts the slab as the grout fills voids in the soil. When the grout hardens, it supports the slab in its new position and the holes are patched. This technique can be used on driveways, sidewalks, and patios, as long as the slab is in good condition.
Crawl spaces can sometimes have sagging or bouncy floors. Instead of conventional concrete or timber columns, Helitech’s crawl space floor system features steel columns that can be custom fit to any space. These strong columns are a permanent fix for any support issues.
Egress windows in your basement walls not only improve your home’s ventilation, but they can also make your basement more inviting by introducing natural light into the space. Helitech has a system to install these unique windows, and they have the know-how to ensure they comply with all local building codes.
When a concrete driveway expands and pushes against a slab, it’s known as “street creep.” Street creep is typically combatted with expansion joints, which are areas in the concrete that allow for expansion. Street creep is worsened when these joints are filled with debris, so Helitech seals them with Street Creep Buffer. This product allows for expansion while sealing the joints so they work as intended.
Where Does Helitech Have Locations?
Headquartered just outside St. Louis, Helitech has seven offices throughout the Midwest. Helitech’s service area includes most of Illinois and Missouri, the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, areas, and parts of Western Kentucky.
How Much Does Helitech Cost?
Since Helitech offers such a wide range of services and custom solutions based on your home’s condition, costs vary significantly. However, Helitech offers free estimates. You can chat with the company on its website, fill out a form online, or make a phone call, and a representative will contact you to diagnose any issues before providing an estimate.
Some services can be very expensive, so Helitech offers multiple financing options for those who qualify. It’s always helpful to contact the company directly to discuss foundation repair costs and the cost of a new concrete slab if you need one. Be sure to get quotes from multiple providers before choosing which company to work with.
Helitech Reviews
Helitech is well-reviewed across multiple platforms. The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and maintains an A+ rating*. While many customers complimented the professionalism of Helitech technicians, others complained that the work done was ineffective and not worth the price paid.
Below are a few customer comments posted on the BBB and Google Reviews.
“Matt the Service Technician Came out to our house and provided us with a solution to fix the humidity in our basement and upgrade our sump pump to battery backup. Matt came back to our house to install a Hydrabreeze Dehumidifier and a battery backup sump pump. Matt is awesome, very polite and a true professional. I recommend Helitech to everyone.” — Jini via BBB
“Very impressed with the excellent communication via calls and texts from Helitech. The scheduling process was easy…So communication was a nice change, as many companies do not keep the customer updated, not a problem with HelitechMelvin John.” — Dave via Google Reviews
“Extremely disappointed and beyond frustrated with my Helitch experience. Waterproofing system installation resulted in a thick layer of dust throughout my entire house…” — Michelle via BBB.
“Destroyed my home / collapsed walls, smashed furnace , water heater . Walked out / said not responsible” — Joann via BBB
*BBB rating is accurate as of December 2022.
Our Conclusion
Helitech takes on some of the most complex home repairs. While the company has a limited service area, it’s a reputable contractor with the proper licensure and know-how to complete most residential foundation and waterproofing projects.
Helitech has grown from a small family business to a multi-state company, but it is still locally owned with no franchises. This means you will receive the perks of working with a local company while benefiting from its large network of professionals, suppliers, and resources.
We recommend requesting a quote from Helitech and at least two other providers before choosing which company to work with.
Learn More: Acculevel Foundation Review
FAQs About Helitech
What are the advantages of using Helitech?
The advantages of using Helitech are its proprietary basement waterproofing and foundation repair systems and the financing options it offers for most home repair jobs. Further, its multiple physical locations allow for a wider service area, while its lack of franchises makes for a more localized and personalized experience.
What forms of payment are accepted by Helitech?
Helitech accepts payment via financing or conventional payment options, including cash, major credit cards, and personal checks.
How much does Helitech charge for an estimate?
Estimates by Helitech are always free, and you’re never obligated to pay for services just because you requested an estimate.
Is Helitech licensed and insured?
Yes, Helitech is licensed and insured. Helitech has the proper licensure to perform home repairs and sufficient insurance to cover its scope of work.
Our Rating Methodology
This Old House aims to provide objective, well-researched reviews of foundation repair companies through a transparent and detailed methodology. We rate each foundation repair company on a 100-point scale in order to back up our findings and recommendations. Learn more about our rating methodology for foundation companies below:
- Foundation Repair Services (20 Points): Does the company provide comprehensive foundation repair services from the following options: pier installation, soil nails, leaning chimney repairs, mudjacking, retaining/stabilizing walls, cracked brick or block repairs, new construction piers services, timber pile support, wall anchors, or carbon fiber reinforcement?
- Basement Waterproofing Services (12 Points): Does the company offer comprehensive basement waterproofing services, such as drainage system installation, sump pumps, basement dehumidifiers, vapor barriers (wall coverings), window wells, or emergency waterproofing services?
- Crawl Space Services (10 Points): Does the company provide comprehensive crawl space services including crawl space support jacks, crawl space encapsulation, dehumidifiers, vapor barriers, or insulation services?
- Concrete Services (8 Points): Does the company provide industry-standard concrete services for both slab foundation and concrete structures, such as new construction concrete services, sinking concrete slabs repairs, concrete leveling, or concrete caulking for cracks?
- Financing Options (18 Points): Does the company offer financing options that include desirable plans such as a reduced interest loan or same-as-cash option? Does it customize the payment plan for each customer?
- Warranty Options (15 Points): Does the company include or not include a transferable lifetime warranty? Does it only provide a manufacturer’s warranty?
- Additional Benefits (17 Points): Can customers expect additional benefits or resources from the company, such as commercial services, a blog, online videos, an online gallery, an online customer portal, or eco-friendly options?
