Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Inver Grove Heights
A few factors can lead to foundation issues. These are the most widespread ones for Inver Grove Heights residents:
- Aging plumbing: The average Inver Grove Heights home construction year is 1978. 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.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't done properly could result in your foundation settling.
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can harm your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your drainage system doesn't protect.
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plunge, topsoil abruptly ices over and lower layers can't expand, forcing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can intrude into a home's foundation through cracks, and may create stress that leads to your foundation fracturing, pipes leaking, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's foundation is vital to its structural integrity, so it's important to work with a top-notch foundation repair company. Evaluate each provider using the following criteria:
Licensing and Experience
Minnesota foundation repair companies need both a residential building contractor and residential remodeler license from the Department of Labor and Industry. The former license lets a company work on new construction, while the latter allows it to modify and repair existing foundations. Business owners need to take 14 hours of continuing education to renew a license. If a contractor makes less than $15,000 from foundation work, they can apply for a Certificate of Exemption and do not need a license. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through what its representatives say. Inquire about its inspection processes, local codes, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.
Another way to determine a company's standing is to examine its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade credentials. It might also share knowledge and insights through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
Before choosing a company, examine its online profile with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can examine both complaints and positive reviews. Negative feedback doesn't mean a contractor is bad news. BBB reviews show how the company handled complaints. It's a good sign if the company has fixed issues proactively and appropriately. You should avoid a company with more negative reviews, no licensure, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Inver Grove Heights
The cost of foundation repair can vary quite a bit depending on the scale of the issues and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation cracking and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is substantial deterioration, the average cost will likely fall around $3,800. More complex jobs involving excavation, helical piers, or concrete leveling could cost $7,200 or more. Below are the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $436 |
Leak Repair | $3,639 |
Stabilization | $6,404 |
Underpinning | $1,664 |
Waterproofing | $4,034 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Inver Grove Heights
How much does foundation repair cost in Inver Grove Heights?
When would I need a foundation replacement, and when could I just get a repair?
When do I need to waterproof my foundation?
- Plumbing leaks
- Discoloration or odors
- Uneven floors
- Hairline cracks
- Flooding
- Mold and mildew
How long does foundation repair usually take?
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)