Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Watertown Town
A few common reasons why Watertown Town homeowners experience foundation problems include:
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plunge, topsoil abruptly ices over and lower layers can't expand, pushing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Watertown Town receives, 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 keep dry.
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can harm your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your drainage system doesn't protect.
- Aging plumbing: Watertown Town has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1948. Many of these properties use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through cracks, and may exert pressure that leads to your foundation breaking, pipes leaking, and overall structural weakening.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Choosing a foundation provider doesn't have to be complicated. We encourage you to list what you want most in a company, then evaluate each company on your list against these qualities.
Licensing and Experience
According to the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, foundation repair companies need at least a Home Improvement Contractor license to work in the commonwealth. For larger jobs and work that requires subcontracting, they'll also need a Construction Supervisor's License. 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.
Another way to gauge a company's credibility 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
We advise 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 shared satisfaction or filed complaints. Pay special attention to what customers say about company warranties. 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, has more negative reviews, and doesn't communicate effectively, you should think twice about working with it.
Finally, we recommend you search other platforms, such as Trustpilot and Google, for more opinions.
Foundation Repair Cost in Watertown Town
The cost of foundation repair can range widely depending on the scale of the issues and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation fissures and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is considerable deterioration, the average cost will likely fall around $3,400. More complex jobs involving excavation, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $7,000 or more. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $389 |
Leak Repair | $3,186 |
Stabilization | $5,565 |
Underpinning | $1,487 |
Waterproofing | $3,526 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Watertown Town
How much does foundation repair cost in Watertown Town?
When would I need a foundation replacement, and when could I just get a repair?
What are the different types of foundations in Watertown Town?
What's the time to complete a typical foundation repair job?
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)