Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Kalamazoo
Foundation issues have some possible causes. Here are the top ones for Kalamazoo residents:
- Aging plumbing: The average Kalamazoo home construction year is 1973. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leakage could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plummet, topsoil abruptly ices over and lower layers can't expand, pushing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't done to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can be menacing to your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your drainage system doesn't cover.
- 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 deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
To pick a foundation repair company, you should consider what's most important to you. Use this guide to help you navigate the process.
Licensing and Experience
Michigan foundation repair companies need a Residential Builder license, a Residential Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license, or both. The state's Licensing and Regulatory Affairs department oversees new applications. It also administrates continuing education required of all contractors. 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 simplest ways to assess a company's reputation is to explore its website. Look for the company's years in business and the qualifications its team holds. Many prominent companies publish educational content for prospective customers.
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 responds to them. If the management team proactively and consistently resolves issues, it's a good sign. However, if the company lacks accreditation, has more negative reviews, and doesn't communicate properly, you should avoid working with it.
Lastly, we encourage you to search other platforms, like Trustpilot and Google, for other reviews.
Foundation Repair Cost in Kalamazoo
The price of your foundation repair project can differ quite significantly depending on the severity of the issues and what needs to be fixed. For minor foundation cracking and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable deterioration, the normal cost falls at about $2,800. More involved projects requiring excavating, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $6,800+. Below are the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $338 |
Leak Repair | $2,696 |
Stabilization | $4,655 |
Underpinning | $1,296 |
Waterproofing | $2,976 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Kalamazoo
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Kalamazoo?
What are the different types of foundations in Kalamazoo?
What are some signs I need foundation waterproofing?
Note that there are two kinds of waterproofing. Interior waterproofing involves installing drains and sump pumps or using sealants around a crawlspace. Outdoor waterproofing is usually less expensive. It involves installing exterior drains and creating physical barriers between your foundation and yard.
Do Kalamazoo 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)