Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Council Bluffs
Foundation issues have multiple possible causes. Here are the most frequent ones for Council Bluffs residents:
- Aging plumbing: Council Bluffs has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1965. Many of these properties use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leakage could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can be a menace to your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your gutters don't reach.
- 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.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through cracks, and may create stress that results in your foundation breaking, pipes rupturing, and overall structural weakening.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Choosing a foundation contractor doesn't have to be complicated. We encourage you to jot down what you desire most in a company, then evaluate each provider on your selection against these characteristics.
Licensing and Experience
If an Iowa foundation company makes more than $2,000 per year, it must register with the state's Division of Labor. Registration doesn't require exams or continuing education. All it proves is that a company holds insurance and pays state taxes. However, cities in the Hawkeye State might still require licenses or practical training for foundation companies. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through the details its representatives share. Ask about its inspection methods, local code requirements, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.
Contractor websites are among the best places to do your research. Typically, a company will show how long it's been operating. It might also upload other content to help interested parties.
Customer Reviews
We suggest checking 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 reported 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 responds to 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 effectively, you should think twice about working with it.
Lastly, we suggest you search additional sites, including Trustpilot and Google, for additional feedback.
Foundation Repair Cost in Council Bluffs
Foundation repair costs can vary substantially based on the degree of the problems and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation fracturing and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,700. However, if there is considerable deterioration, the average cost will be around $1,800. More intricate jobs involving digging, helical piers, or major concrete leveling could run you $6,500. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $233 |
Leak Repair | $1,683 |
Stabilization | $2,778 |
Underpinning | $901 |
Waterproofing | $1,839 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Council Bluffs
How much does foundation repair cost in Council Bluffs?
Can a foundation always be fixed?
Will my homeowners insurance cover foundation repair?
Do Council Bluffs 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)