Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Portage
Foundation issues have a few possible causes. Here are the most frequent ones for Portage residents:
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can be a menace to your foundation, especially when it gathers in areas your gutters don't protect.
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plunge, topsoil freezes rapidly and lower layers can't expand, forcing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't done to standard could result in your foundation settling.
- Aging plumbing: The average Portage home construction year is 1974. 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.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through crevices, and may apply force that causes your foundation cracking, pipes being damaged, and overall structural deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Choosing a foundation company doesn't have to be challenging. We encourage you to write down what you expect most in a contractor, then evaluate each provider on your selection against these attributes.
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. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through the information its team gives you. Ask about its inspection methods, local codes, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.
One of the simplest ways to evaluate a company's reputation is to explore its website. Look for how long the company has operated and the accreditations its team holds. Many leading companies publish educational content for prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
Before signing a contract with a company, check 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 well, you should avoid working with it.
Finally, we encourage you to search different websites, such as Trustpilot and Google, for additional feedback.
Foundation Repair Cost in Portage
Foundation repair costs can differ significantly based on the scale of the problems and what must be done to fix them. For minor foundation cracking and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable deterioration, the normal cost will be around $2,800. More complex jobs involving excavation, helical piers, or major concrete leveling could run you $6,800. See below 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 Portage
How much does foundation repair cost in Portage?
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. Exterior waterproofing is generally less expensive. It involves installing exterior drains and establishing physical barriers between your foundation and yard.
How long does foundation repair usually take?
Will foundation repair disrupt my daily routine while the work's being done?
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)