Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Stratford
Some typical reasons why Stratford homeowners deal with foundation woes include:
- Soil composition: Soil with large clay or sand concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Stratford experiences, the soil soaks up 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.
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plunge, topsoil abruptly ices over and lower layers can't expand, forcing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can be a menace to your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your gutter system doesn't cover.
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't completed to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
- Aging plumbing: Stratford has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1958. Many of these properties use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's foundation is essential to its stability, so it's important to work with a top-notch foundation repair provider. Evaluate each provider using the following criteria:
Licensing and Experience
In Connecticut, foundation repair companies need at least a Home Improvement Contractor license from the Department of Consumer Protection for work valued at over $200. Applicants must prove that they have at least $20,000 in liability insurance. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about how its team will draft plans and pull permits, what local codes apply to your project, and how the company inspects foundations.
One of the simplest ways to evaluate a company's reputation is to visit its website. Look for how long the company has operated and the accreditations its team holds. Many prominent companies offer educational content for future customers.
Customer Reviews
We suggest checking the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to see whether it's accredited and has a good customer review score. You can see whether other homeowners have expressed satisfaction or filed complaints. Pay special attention to what customers say about company warranties. Remember that complaints don't necessarily mean a contractor is unqualified. BBB reviews also show how companies handle complaints. A proactive team that aims to achieve excellent outcomes is a good one. Don't work with a company if you don't see clear communication about problems.
Foundation Repair Cost in Stratford
The price of your foundation repair project can vary substantially depending on the scale of the issues and what needs to be fixed. For minor foundation cracking and settling problems, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is substantial deterioration, the average cost is about $2,600. More intricate projects requiring tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $6,800+. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $318 |
Leak Repair | $2,506 |
Stabilization | $4,304 |
Underpinning | $1,222 |
Waterproofing | $2,763 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Stratford
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)