Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Antelope
A few factors can contribute to foundation issues. Here are the most prevalent ones for Antelope residents:
- Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can threaten your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your gutters don't protect.
- Drought conditions: Antelope is vulnerable to drought. The shortage of rainfall and varying humidity levels each season result to ever-shifting soil. The resulting soil settlement can displace and break your foundation.
- Aging plumbing: While many Antelope homes are fairly new, some still use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't performed to standard could result in your foundation settling.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through cracks, and may exert pressure that causes your foundation breaking, pipes being damaged, and overall structural deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's foundation is crucial to its structural integrity, so it's important to work with a reliable foundation repair provider. Evaluate each company using the following criteria:
Licensing and Experience
The Golden State issues many different kinds of contracting licenses, and foundation companies often have more than one. You can verify a company's licensing information through the Contractors State License Board, a division of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Look for a company with a General Building Contractor, General Engineering Contractor, C-8 Concrete, or C-61 Pile Driving credential. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through what its representatives say. Ask about its inspection methods, local code requirements, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.
Contractor websites are some of the best places to do your research. Usually, a business will show how long it's been in business. It might also publish other content to help interested parties.
Customer Reviews
When you're researching a company's standing, visit its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. There, you can find its "letter grade" rating and a list of customer reviews, both positive experiences and complaints. Complaints don't mean a contractor is bad news. BBB reviews show how the company dealt with complaints. It's a good sign if the company has settled issues proactively and favorably. You should steer clear of a company with more negative reviews, no licensure, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Antelope
The cost of foundation repair can vary substantially based on the scale of the problems and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation fissuring and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is considerable damage, the average cost will be around $3,300. More intricate jobs involving excavation, helical piers, or extensive concrete leveling could run you $7,000. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $384 |
Leak Repair | $3,142 |
Stabilization | $5,483 |
Underpinning | $1,470 |
Waterproofing | $3,477 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Antelope
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Antelope?
What are some signs I need foundation waterproofing?
Note that there are two kinds of waterproofing. Interior waterproofing involves installing drains and sump pumps or using sealants around a cellar. Exterior waterproofing is generally less expensive. It involves installing exterior drains and forming physical barriers between your foundation and lawn.
Will my homeowners insurance cover foundation repair?
What preventive measures can I take to avoid foundation issues?
- Ensure your home's gutters and downspouts are properly installed and direct water away from your foundation to avoid water accumulation.
- Water the soil around your foundation consistently, especially during dry spells, to prevent expansion and shrinking.
- If possible, grade the soil around your home to slope away from your foundation, promoting water drainage and reducing the risk of foundation issues.
- Inspect your foundation for signs of damage, and fix any issues promptly.
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)