Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Richmond
Foundation issues have multiple possible causes. Here are the most frequent ones for Richmond residents:
- Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Richmond experiences, the soil soaks up moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction puts pressure on nearby foundations, even if the foundations keep dry.
- Aging plumbing: While many Richmond homes are fairly new, some still use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't performed properly could result in your foundation settling.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through crevices, and may exert pressure that causes your foundation fracturing, pipes leaking, and overall structural weakening.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's foundation is essential to its structural integrity, so it's important to work with a reliable foundation repair provider. Assess each firm using the following criteria:
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 the company inspects foundations, how its team will draft plans and pull permits, and what local codes apply to your project.
Contractor websites are among the best places to do your research. Typically, a foundation company will mention how long it's been in business. It might also upload other content to help potential clients.
Customer Reviews
Before committing to a company, check its online profile with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can examine both positive reviews and complaints. Complaints aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. You want to 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, shows more negative reviews than positive ones, and doesn't communicate well, you should avoid working with it.
Lastly, we suggest you search different websites, such as Trustpilot and Google, for other reviews.
Foundation Repair Cost in Richmond
The price of your foundation repair project can range widely depending on the severity of the issues and what must be fixed. For minor foundation cracking and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is substantial deterioration, the normal cost is about $2,500. More complex projects requiring digging, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $6,700+. Below are the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $307 |
Leak Repair | $2,397 |
Stabilization | $4,101 |
Underpinning | $1,179 |
Waterproofing | $2,640 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Richmond
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Do I need to leave my home for foundation repair work?
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)