Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Santa Clara
Some frequent reasons why Santa Clara homeowners experience foundation issues include:
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can be menacing to your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your gutters don't protect.
- Aging plumbing: The average Santa Clara home construction year is 1975. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have 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 properly could lead to your foundation settling.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through crevices, and may apply force that results in your foundation fracturing, pipes being damaged, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's stability weighs heavily on its foundation. It's vital to select the top professionals possible. Center your research on these characteristics:
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. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about what local codes apply to your project, how the company inspects foundations, and how its team will draft plans and pull permits.
Another way to determine a company's reputation is to look at its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade accreditations. It might also share insights and knowledge through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
Before selecting a company, examine its online profile with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can examine both positive reviews and complaints. Complaints aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. You want to discover how a company handles them. If the management team proactively and consistently resolves issues, it's a good sign. However, if the company lacks accreditation, shows more negative reviews than positive ones, and doesn't communicate well, you should think twice about working with it.
Finally, we encourage you to search different websites, including Trustpilot and Google, for other reviews.
Foundation Repair Cost in Santa Clara
The price of foundation repair can vary substantially depending on the severity of the issues and what must be fixed. For minor foundation cracking and settling problems, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is substantial deterioration, the typical cost falls at about $3,300. More intricate projects requiring excavating, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $7,000+. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $382 |
Leak Repair | $3,120 |
Stabilization | $5,443 |
Underpinning | $1,462 |
Waterproofing | $3,452 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Santa Clara
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Santa Clara?
When do I need to waterproof my foundation?
Note that there are two kinds of waterproofing. Interior waterproofing involves installing drains and sump pumps or using sealants around a basement. Outdoor waterproofing is generally less expensive. It involves installing exterior drains and creating physical barriers between your foundation and yard.
Will my homeowners insurance cover foundation repair?
Will foundation repair disrupt my daily routine while the work's being done?
That said, foundation repair crews operate heavy equipment, and you'll occasionally experience loud noises or tremors. If either of these will disturb you, you might prefer to leave and return when the crew is finished.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.
More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)