Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Athens
A home in Athens might experience foundation issues for a variety of reasons. Some are unique to the local environment, while others are prevalent nationwide. They include:
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can harm your foundation's integrity, especially when it gathers in areas your drainage system doesn't protect.
- Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Athens experiences, 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: While many Athens 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.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through cracks, and may exert pressure that results in your foundation cracking, pipes rupturing, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Choosing a foundation contractor doesn't have to be challenging. We encourage you to list what you expect most in a company, then evaluate each company on your selection against these qualities.
Licensing and Experience
In Georgia, foundation companies may be licensed as general or specialty contractors. If a company holds a specialty license, it can only perform jobs within its Secretary of State-assigned classifications. Classifications are task-specific, including such specialties as concrete tilt-up, grading, and masonry. Talk to team members to gain further insight into a company's experience. You should ask about local inspection processes, permit ordinances and building codes.
One of the simplest ways to evaluate a company's reputation is to browse its website. Look for how long the company has operated and the accreditations its team holds. Many prominent companies publish educational content for potential customers.
Customer Reviews
We recommend examining the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to determine whether it's accredited and has a high 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. Complaints aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. Instead, discover how a company responds to them. If the management team proactively and consistently resolves issues, it's a good sign. However, if the company lacks accreditation, has an abundance of negative feedback, and doesn't communicate well, you should think twice about working with it.
Finally, we recommend you search additional sites, including Trustpilot and Google, for other reviews.
Foundation Repair Cost in Athens
The price of foundation repair can vary substantially depending on the degree of the issues and what's required to resolve them. For minor foundation fracturing and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is significant damage, the normal cost falls at about $3,000. More complex projects involving digging, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $6,900. Below are the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $355 |
Leak Repair | $2,857 |
Stabilization | $4,955 |
Underpinning | $1,359 |
Waterproofing | $3,157 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Athens
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Athens?
What's the most popular foundation type in Athens?
How long does foundation repair usually take?
What preventive measures can I take to avoid foundation issues?
- Make sure your home's gutters and downspouts are in good condition and direct water away from your foundation to avoid water accumulation.
- Irrigate the soil around your foundation evenly, especially during dry spells, to prevent shrinking and expansion.
- If possible, grade the soil around your home to slope away from your foundation, promoting water drainage and reducing the risk of foundation issues.
- Keep an eye on your foundation for signs of damage, and address any issues promptly.
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)