Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Muskegon
Foundation issues have a few possible causes. Here are the top ones for Muskegon residents:
- Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can be menacing to your foundation's integrity, especially when it gathers in areas your drainage system doesn't cover.
- 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: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't performed properly could result in your foundation settling.
- Aging plumbing: Muskegon has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1961. Many of these properties use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can intrude into a home's foundation through crevices, and may create stress that leads to your foundation breaking, pipes leaking, and overall structural weakening.
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 trustworthy foundation repair provider. Evaluate each contractor using the following criteria:
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. Talk to representatives to gain further insight into a company's experience. You should ask about local inspection processes, permit ordinances and building codes.
One of the easiest ways to assess a company's reputation is to browse its website. Look for the company's years in business and the qualifications its team holds. Many prominent companies publish educational content for potential customers.
Customer Reviews
We advise checking the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to see whether it's accredited and has a positive customer review score. You can check whether other homeowners have reported 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 responds to 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 properly, you should avoid working with it.
Lastly, we recommend you search additional sites, such as Trustpilot and Google, for additional feedback.
Foundation Repair Cost in Muskegon
Foundation repair costs can differ significantly based on the degree of the problems and what must be done to fix them. For minor foundation cracking and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $2,200. However, if there is considerable damage, the average cost will be around $7,500. More intricate jobs involving digging, helical piers, or extensive concrete leveling could run you $8,400. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $791 |
Leak Repair | $7,063 |
Stabilization | $12,751 |
Underpinning | $3,000 |
Waterproofing | $7,875 |
Ready to Get a Quote on Your Foundation Repair Project?
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Muskegon
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Muskegon?
What's the time to complete a typical foundation repair job?
Is foundation repair covered under my homeowners insurance?
What preventive measures can I take to avoid foundation issues?
- Ensure your home's gutters and downspouts are properly installed and direct water away from your foundation to avoid water accumulation.
- Water the soil around your foundation evenly, especially during dry spells, to prevent expansion and shrinking.
- If possible, grade the soil around your home to slope away from your foundation, promoting water drainage and reducing the risk of foundation issues.
- Keep an eye on your foundation for signs of damage, and fix any issues promptly.
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)