Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Oak Lawn
A home in Oak Lawn might experience foundation issues for multiple reasons. Some are specific to the local environment, while others are prevalent nationwide. They include:
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plunge, topsoil abruptly ices over and lower layers can't expand, pushing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can be a menace to your foundation, especially when it gathers in areas your gutter system doesn't cover.
- Aging plumbing: The average Oak Lawn home construction year is 1970. 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.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through crevices, and may create stress that leads to your foundation cracking, pipes rupturing, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's structural integrity relies on its foundation. It's important to select the most qualified crew possible. Focus your research on 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. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through what its representatives say. Ask about its inspection processes, local code requirements, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.
Another way to assess a company's standing is to look at its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade credentials. It might also share insights and knowledge through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
Before choosing a company, review its online profile with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can examine both complaints and positive reviews. Complaints aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. You want to 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 more negative reviews, 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 Oak Lawn
The price of foundation repair can vary substantially depending on the scale of the issues and what's needed to resolve them. For minor foundation fissures and settling problems, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is considerable damage, the average cost is about $3,800. More involved 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 Oak Lawn
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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)