Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Berwyn
A few factors can contribute to foundation issues. These are the most common ones for Berwyn residents:
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plummet, topsoil abruptly ices over and lower layers can't expand, pushing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Aging plumbing: The average Berwyn home construction year is 1975. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't done properly could lead to your foundation settling.
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can threaten your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your drainage system doesn't protect.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can intrude into a home's foundation through cracks, and may exert pressure that leads to your foundation breaking, pipes rupturing, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Choosing a foundation company doesn't have to be complicated. We encourage you to write down what you desire most in a provider, then evaluate each company on your selection against these attributes.
Licensing and Experience
Illinois doesn't issue contractor licenses at the state level, but larger cities in the Land of Lincoln will usually have their own licensing requirements and exams. We recommend contacting your local government office for more information before you begin your company search. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about how the company inspects foundations, what local codes apply to your project, and how its team will draft plans and pull permits.
Contractor websites are among the best places to do your research. Usually, a business will discuss how long it's been in business. It might also publish articles to help prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
We advise reviewing the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to find out whether it's accredited and has a high customer review score. You can see 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, shows more negative reviews than positive ones, and doesn't communicate well, you should think twice about working with it.
Finally, we recommend you search different websites, like Trustpilot and Google, for other reviews.
Foundation Repair Cost in Berwyn
The price of foundation repair can vary substantially depending on the degree of the issues and what's necessary to resolve them. For minor foundation fissures and settling problems, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is significant deterioration, the normal cost lands at about $3,800. More complex projects involving digging, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $7,200. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $431 |
Leak Repair | $3,591 |
Stabilization | $6,315 |
Underpinning | $1,645 |
Waterproofing | $3,980 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Berwyn
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Berwyn?
What's the time to complete a typical foundation repair job?
Is foundation repair covered under my homeowners insurance?
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.
- 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 angle away from your foundation, promoting water drainage and reducing the risk of foundation issues.
- Keep an eye on your foundation for cracks, and fix any issues immediately.
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)