Common Causes of Foundation Problems in West Lafayette
Foundation issues have several possible causes. Here are the most prevalent ones for West Lafayette residents:
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't completed to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
- Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can threaten your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your drainage system doesn't reach.
- Aging plumbing: While many West Lafayette homes are fairly new, some still use 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 cracks, and may apply force that results in your foundation fracturing, pipes leaking, 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 reliable foundation repair provider. 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 building codes, permit ordinances and inspection processes.
Contractor websites are among the best places to do your research. Typically, a business will display how long it's been operating. It might also publish articles to help interested parties.
Customer Reviews
Before signing a contract with a company, check 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. Instead, discover how a company manages them. If the management team consistently and proactively resolves issues, it's a good sign. However, if the company lacks accreditation, has an abundance of negative feedback, and doesn't communicate properly, you should avoid working with it.
Finally, we suggest you search additional sites, like Trustpilot and Google, for additional feedback.
Foundation Repair Cost in West Lafayette
The price of foundation repair can differ quite significantly depending on the scale of the issues and what's necessary to resolve them. For minor foundation fissures and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable damage, the typical cost falls at about $2,700. More intricate projects involving excavating, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $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 West Lafayette
How much does foundation repair cost in West Lafayette?
How long does foundation repair usually take?
What preventive measures can I take to avoid foundation issues?
- Ensure your home's gutters and downspouts are properly installed 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 slope away from your foundation, encouraging water drainage and minimizing the risk of foundation issues.
- Check your foundation for cracks, and address any issues immediately.
Are there telltale signs I should avoid a particular foundation company?
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)