Common Causes of Foundation Problems in South Bend
Foundation issues have several possible causes. Here are the top ones for South Bend residents:
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plunge, topsoil abruptly ices over and lower layers can't expand, forcing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't done to standard could result in your foundation settling.
- Aging plumbing: South Bend has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1963. Many of these properties use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can harm your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your gutter system doesn't cover.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through cracks, and may create stress that results in your foundation cracking, pipes rupturing, and overall structural weakening.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
To pick a foundation repair contractor, you should determine what's most important to you. Use this list of qualities to help you go through the process.
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. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about how the company inspects foundations, how its team will draft plans and pull permits, and what local codes apply to your project.
One of the most effective ways to evaluate a company's reputation is to go to its website. Look for the company's history and the accreditations its team holds. Many leading companies provide educational content for prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
Before selecting 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 handles 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 suggest you search additional sites, including Trustpilot and Google, for more opinions.
Foundation Repair Cost in South Bend
The price of your foundation repair project can range widely depending on the scale of the issues and what must be fixed. For minor foundation fracturing and settling problems, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable deterioration, the normal cost is about $2,700. More intricate projects requiring tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $6,800+. 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 South Bend
What will I pay to repair my foundation in South Bend?
When would I need a foundation replacement, and when could I just get a repair?
What's the most popular foundation type in South Bend?
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 consistently, especially during dry spells, to prevent expansion and shrinking.
- If possible, grade the soil around your home to slope away from your foundation, encouraging water drainage and reducing the risk of foundation issues.
- Keep an eye on your foundation for cracks, and fix 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)