Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Lakeville
A few factors can lead to foundation issues. These are the most common ones for Lakeville residents:
- Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can threaten your foundation, especially when it gathers in areas your gutters don't cover.
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't completed properly could result in your foundation settling.
- Aging plumbing: While many Lakeville homes are fairly new, some still use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leakage could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- 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 encroach on a home's foundation through cracks, and may apply force that leads to your foundation cracking, pipes leaking, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's foundation is vital to its stability, so it's important to work with a top-notch foundation repair provider. Evaluate each provider using the following factors:
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. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about how the company inspects foundations, what local codes apply to your project, and how its team will draft plans and pull permits.
Another way to evaluate a company's credibility is to look at its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade qualifications. It might also share insights and knowledge through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
Before committing to a company, check its online profile with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can examine both complaints and positive reviews. Complaints aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. Instead, discover how a company handles them. If the management team proactively and consistently resolves issues, it's a good sign. However, if the company lacks accreditation, has an abundance of negative feedback, and doesn't communicate effectively, you should think twice about working with it.
Finally, we suggest you search additional sites, like Trustpilot and Google, for additional feedback.
Foundation Repair Cost in Lakeville
The price of your foundation repair project can range widely depending on the scale of the issues and what must be fixed. For minor foundation fissures and settling problems, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is considerable damage, the typical cost lands at about $3,800. More involved projects requiring tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $7,200+. See below 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 Lakeville
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Lakeville?
How long does foundation repair usually take?
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 prevent 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 angle away from your foundation, promoting water drainage and reducing the risk of foundation issues.
- Keep an eye on your foundation for cracks, and repair any issues promptly.
Are there telltale signs I should avoid a particular foundation company?
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)