Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Bloomington
A home in Bloomington might experience foundation issues for various reasons. Some are specific to the local environment, while others are common nationwide. They include:
- Aging plumbing: The average Bloomington home construction year is 1981. 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.
- Soil composition: Soil with large clay or sand concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Bloomington receives, 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.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't performed to standard could result in your foundation settling.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through cracks, and may apply force that causes your foundation breaking, pipes rupturing, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's foundation is crucial to its structural integrity, so it's important to work with a trustworthy foundation repair firm. Evaluate each firm using the following factors:
Licensing and Experience
Indiana foundation repair companies don't need a state license to operate. However, local governments can and often do establish their own requirements, exams, and codes. Before you begin your company search, it's best to contact your city hall and learn about what's required. Talk to representatives to gain additional insight into a company's experience. You should ask about local inspection processes, permit ordinances and building codes.
Another way to gauge a company's reputation is to examine its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade accreditations. It might also share knowledge and insights through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
When you're researching a company's reputation, go to its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. There, you can find its "letter grade" rating and a list of customer reviews, both complaints and positive experiences. Complaints aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. You want to discover how a company handles them. If the management team consistently and proactively resolves issues, it's a good sign. However, if the company lacks accreditation, has more negative reviews, and doesn't communicate properly, you should avoid working with it.
Finally, we suggest you search different websites, like Trustpilot and Google, for other reviews.
Foundation Repair Cost in Bloomington
The cost of foundation repair can differ significantly depending on the scale of the issues and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation fractures and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable deterioration, the average cost will likely fall around $2,700. More complex jobs involving tunneling, helical piers, or concrete leveling could cost $6,800 or more. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $320 |
Leak Repair | $2,526 |
Stabilization | $4,341 |
Underpinning | $1,230 |
Waterproofing | $2,785 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Bloomington
How much does foundation repair cost in Bloomington?
When do I need to waterproof my foundation?
Note that there are two kinds of waterproofing. Interior waterproofing involves installing sump pumps and drains or using sealants around a cellar. Exterior waterproofing is usually less expensive. It involves installing exterior drains and establishing physical barriers between your foundation and lawn.
Is foundation repair covered under my homeowners insurance?
Do Bloomington foundation repair companies offer warranties or guarantees?
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)