Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Pinellas Park
Foundation issues have several possible causes. Here are the top ones for Pinellas Park residents:
- Aging plumbing: The average Pinellas Park home construction year is 1977. 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.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't completed to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can be menacing to your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your drainage system doesn't reach.
- Soil composition: Soil with large clay or sand concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Pinellas Park experiences, the soil soaks up moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction presses against nearby foundations, even if the foundations stay dry.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through crevices, and may create stress that causes your foundation breaking, pipes leaking, and overall structural deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's structural integrity depends greatly on its foundation. It's essential to select the most qualified crew possible. Center your research on these features:
Licensing and Experience
Florida's contractor licensing system is rather unique. The state's Department of Business and Professional Regulation issues "certified" contractor licenses in building, general contracting, and residential construction that foundation companies must earn. There are also "registered" licenses issued at a local level. 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 best ways to evaluate a company's reputation is to go to its website. Look for how long the company has operated and the qualifications its team holds. Many top companies provide educational content for prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
When you're researching a company's credibility, go to its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. There, you can find its rating and a list of customer reviews, both complaints and positive experiences. Complaints don't mean a contractor is unreliable. BBB reviews show how the company dealt with complaints. It's a good sign if the company has fixed issues proactively and appropriately. You should steer clear of a company with numerous negative reviews, no certifications, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Pinellas Park
The price of foundation repair can range widely depending on the scale of the issues and what's needed to resolve them. For minor foundation cracking and settling problems, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable damage, the average cost falls at about $2,300. More involved projects involving tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $6,700. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $290 |
Leak Repair | $2,237 |
Stabilization | $3,805 |
Underpinning | $1,117 |
Waterproofing | $2,461 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Pinellas Park
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Pinellas Park?
Can a foundation always be fixed?
What are some signs I need foundation waterproofing?
- Uneven floors
- Mold and mildew
- Discoloration or odors
- Hairline cracks
- Plumbing leaks
- Flooding
What's the time to complete a typical foundation repair job?
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)