Common Causes of Foundation Problems in O'Fallon
Foundation issues have a few possible causes. Here are the most prevalent ones for O'Fallon residents:
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can be menacing to your foundation, especially when it gathers in areas your gutters don't reach.
- Aging plumbing: While many O'Fallon homes are fairly new, some still use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't completed to standard could result in your foundation settling.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through crevices, and may create stress that results in your foundation fracturing, pipes being damaged, and overall structural weakening.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
To pick a foundation repair company, you should determine what's most important to you. Use this guide to help you steer the process.
Licensing and Experience
Missouri doesn't issue contractor licenses, but foundation repair companies must still register with the Secretary of State. Local governments often have their own licensing requirements for contractors. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through the information its team gives you. Inquire about its inspection processes, local code requirements, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.
Contractor websites are some of the best places to do your research. Usually, a business will show how long it's been in the industry. It might also publish blog posts to assist interested parties.
Customer Reviews
When you're researching a company's standing, go to its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. There, you can find its "letter grade" rating and a list of customer reviews, both positive experiences and complaints. Complaints don't mean a contractor is unreliable. BBB reviews show how the company dealt with complaints. It's a positive sign if the company has fixed issues appropriately and proactively. You should avoid a company with many negative reviews, no licensure, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in O'Fallon
The price of foundation repair can differ quite significantly depending on the extent of the issues and what's necessary to resolve them. For minor foundation fracturing and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable deterioration, the normal cost lands at about $2,500. More intricate projects involving tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $6,700. Below are the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
| Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Crack Repair | $304 |
| Leak Repair | $2,367 |
| Stabilization | $4,045 |
| Underpinning | $1,167 |
| Waterproofing | $2,606 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in O'Fallon
What will I pay to repair my foundation in O'Fallon?
When do I need to waterproof my foundation?
Note that there are two kinds of waterproofing. Interior waterproofing involves installing drains and sump pumps or using sealants around a crawlspace. Outdoor waterproofing is usually less expensive. It involves installing exterior drains and creating physical barriers between your foundation and lawn.
Is foundation repair covered under my homeowners insurance?
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)
