Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Elkhart
Some typical reasons why Elkhart homeowners face foundation woes include:
- Aging plumbing: The average Elkhart home construction year is 1974. 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.
- Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can be a menace to your foundation's integrity, especially when it gathers in areas your drainage system doesn't reach.
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't performed properly could lead to your foundation settling.
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plummet, topsoil freezes rapidly and lower layers can't expand, forcing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through cracks, and may create stress that leads to your foundation cracking, pipes being damaged, and overall structural deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
When choosing a foundation company, you should consider your personal priorities. Ask each company on your list about the following qualities.
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. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through the details its representatives share. Inquire about its inspection methods, local code requirements, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.
One of the easiest ways to assess a company's reputation is to find its website. Look for the company's history and the accreditations its team holds. Many top companies offer educational content for future customers.
Customer Reviews
We advise examining the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to find out whether it's accredited and has a good 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 manages 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.
Lastly, we encourage you to search different websites, including Trustpilot and Google, for more opinions.
Foundation Repair Cost in Elkhart
The cost of foundation repair can range widely depending on the extent of the issues and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation fissures and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is more significant deterioration, the average cost will likely fall around $2,700. More complex jobs involving digging, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $6,800 or more. Below are 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 Elkhart
How much does foundation repair cost in Elkhart?
What are some signs I need foundation waterproofing?
- Discoloration or odors
- Uneven floors
- Mold and mildew
- Flooding
- Hairline cracks
- Plumbing leaks
Is foundation repair covered under my homeowners insurance?
What preventive measures can I take to avoid foundation issues?
- Ensure your home's gutters and downspouts are in good condition and direct water away from your foundation to prevent water accumulation.
- Irrigate the soil around your foundation evenly, especially during dry spells, to prevent expansion and shrinking.
- If possible, grade the soil around your home to angle away from your foundation, encouraging water drainage and reducing the risk of foundation issues.
- Check 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)