Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Little Rock
Foundation issues have multiple possible causes. Here are the top ones for Little Rock residents:
- Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Little Rock gets, the soil absorbs moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction puts pressure on nearby foundations, even if the foundations stay dry.
- Aging plumbing: The average Little Rock home construction year is 1980. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leakage could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can be a menace to your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your gutters don't protect.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through crevices, and may apply force that causes your foundation cracking, pipes leaking, and overall structural deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
To select a foundation repair business, you should think about what's most important to you. Use this guide to help you go through the process.
Licensing and Experience
Arkansas' Residential Contractors Committee regulates the state's home service companies. A business owner can have either a Residential Building Contractor or Residential Remodeler license to do foundation setting, drilling, construction, stabilization, and repair work. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about what local codes apply to your project, how its team will draft plans and pull permits, and how the company inspects foundations.
Contractor websites are some of the best places to do your research. Typically, a company will mention how long it's been operating. It might also upload articles to help prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
We suggest looking into the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to find out whether it's accredited and has a positive customer review score. You can check whether other homeowners have shared satisfaction or filed complaints. Pay special attention to what customers say about company warranties. Negative feedback doesn't mean a contractor is bad news. BBB reviews show how the company handled complaints. It's a good sign if the company has resolved issues proactively and favorably. You should stay away from a company with more negative reviews, no accreditation, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Little Rock
The cost of foundation repair can vary quite a bit depending on the extent of the issues and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation fissures and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable deterioration, the average cost will likely fall around $2,600. More complex jobs involving tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $6,800 or more. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $317 |
Leak Repair | $2,496 |
Stabilization | $4,286 |
Underpinning | $1,218 |
Waterproofing | $2,752 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Little Rock
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Little Rock?
What's the most popular foundation type in Little Rock?
Are there telltale signs I should avoid a particular foundation company?
Will foundation repair disrupt my daily routine while the work's being done?
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)