Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Pontiac
A few factors can contribute to foundation issues. These are the most common ones for Pontiac residents:
- Aging plumbing: The average Pontiac home construction year is 1966. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leakage could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plummet, topsoil freezes rapidly and lower layers can't expand, pushing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can harm your foundation's integrity, especially when it gathers in areas your drainage system doesn't cover.
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't done properly could result in your foundation settling.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through crevices, and may create stress that results in your foundation cracking, pipes rupturing, 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 trustworthy foundation repair contractor. 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. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about what local codes apply to your project, how the company inspects foundations, and how its team will draft plans and pull permits.
One of the easiest ways to assess a company's reputation is to visit its website. Look for the company's history and the qualifications its team holds. Many well-known companies provide educational content for prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
When you're researching a company's credibility, go to its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. There, you can find its rating and a list of customer reviews, both complaints and positive experiences. Complaints don't mean a contractor is unreliable. BBB reviews show how the company addressed complaints. It's a positive sign if the company has resolved issues proactively and favorably. You should stay away from a company with numerous negative reviews, no credentials, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Pontiac
Foundation repair costs can vary substantially based on the degree of the problems and what must be done to fix them. For minor foundation fracturing and settling problems, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is quite substantial destruction, the normal cost will be around $3,400. More involved jobs involving digging, helical piers, or extensive concrete leveling could run you $7,000. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $393 |
Leak Repair | $3,230 |
Stabilization | $5,646 |
Underpinning | $1,504 |
Waterproofing | $3,575 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Pontiac
How much does foundation repair cost in Pontiac?
What's the most popular foundation type in Pontiac?
When do I need to waterproof my foundation?
Note that there are two kinds of waterproofing. Interior waterproofing involves installing sump pumps and drains or using sealants around a cellar. Outdoor waterproofing is typically less expensive. It involves installing exterior drains and forming physical barriers between your foundation and yard.
Will foundation repair disrupt my daily routine while the work's being done?
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)