Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Covington
A home in Covington might experience foundation issues for various reasons. Some are unique to the local environment, while others are common nationwide. They include:
- Aging plumbing: Covington 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 to erode, leakage could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Covington experiences, the soil soaks up moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction stresses nearby foundations, even if the foundations stay dry.
- 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 be menacing to your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your drainage system doesn't protect.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through cracks, and may exert pressure that causes your foundation cracking, pipes rupturing, and overall structural deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's foundation is essential to its stability, so it's important to work with a quality foundation repair contractor. Assess each contractor using the following factors:
Licensing and Experience
While the Commonwealth of Kentucky doesn't issue state contracting licenses, this doesn't make foundation repair companies exempt from local requirements. Different cities and counties each have their own licenses and standards. Before you begin contacting companies, we encourage you to speak with your local building department about requirements and regulations. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about how its team will draft plans and pull permits, how the company inspects foundations, and what local codes apply to your project.
One of the best ways to evaluate a company's reputation is to go to its website. Look for the company's history and what credentials its team holds. Many prominent companies publish educational content for prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
We suggest examining the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to see whether it's accredited and has a positive 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 don't mean a contractor is bad news. BBB reviews show how the company dealt with complaints. It's a positive sign if the company has resolved issues favorably and proactively. You should stay away from a company with many negative reviews, no accreditation, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Covington
The cost of foundation repair can range widely depending on the scale of the issues and what needs to be done to resolve them. For minor foundation fractures and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is substantial damage, the average cost will likely fall around $2,600. More complex jobs involving tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $6,800 or more. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $315 |
Leak Repair | $2,476 |
Stabilization | $4,249 |
Underpinning | $1,210 |
Waterproofing | $2,730 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Covington
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Covington?
Will my homeowners insurance cover foundation repair?
Are there telltale signs I should avoid a particular foundation company?
Will foundation repair disrupt my daily routine while the work's being done?
That said, foundation repair crews use heavy machinery, and you'll occasionally experience loud noises or tremors. If either of these will disturb you, you might prefer to leave and return when the crew is finished.
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)