Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Dundalk
Some common reasons why Dundalk homeowners deal with foundation problems include:
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can be a menace to your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your drainage system doesn't reach.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't completed properly could result in your foundation settling.
- Soil composition: Soil with large clay or sand concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Dundalk gets, the soil absorbs moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction presses against nearby foundations, even if the foundations stay dry.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through cracks, and may exert pressure that leads to your foundation cracking, pipes being damaged, and overall structural destabilization.
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 top-notch foundation repair provider. Evaluate each firm using the following criteria:
Licensing and Experience
In Maryland, the state Department of Labor licenses all foundation repair companies. There are strict requirements to get and keep a license. Business owners must have two years of industry experience, pass a trade exam, submit business filings and proof of insurance, and clear a financial audit. Subcontractors working your foundation job don't need a license if they're working for a licensed contractor. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about how its team will draft plans and pull permits, what local codes apply to your project, and how the company inspects foundations.
Another way to measure a company's reputation is to examine its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade accreditations. It might also share insights and knowledge through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
Before choosing a company, examine 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 handles 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 effectively, you should think twice about working with it.
Finally, we encourage you to search other platforms, like Trustpilot and Google, for additional feedback.
Foundation Repair Cost in Dundalk
The price of foundation repair can vary substantially depending on the extent of the issues and what's needed to resolve them. For minor foundation fracturing and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is significant damage, the average cost falls at about $2,800. More intricate projects involving tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $6,800. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $335 |
Leak Repair | $2,670 |
Stabilization | $4,607 |
Underpinning | $1,286 |
Waterproofing | $2,947 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Dundalk
How much does foundation repair cost in Dundalk?
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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)