Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Carson City
Foundation issues have multiple possible causes. Here are the most frequent ones for Carson City residents:
- Aging plumbing: The average Carson City home construction year is 1982. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- 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: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't done properly could lead to your foundation settling.
- Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can harm your foundation's integrity, especially when it gathers in areas your gutter system doesn't reach.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can intrude into a home's foundation through cracks, and may exert pressure that results in your foundation breaking, pipes leaking, and overall structural weakening.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Choosing a foundation company doesn't have to be difficult. We encourage you to jot down what you desire most in a company, then evaluate each contractor on your shortlist against these qualities.
Licensing and Experience
Nevada contractors must apply for a license with the State Contractors Board. Each contractor receives one or more classifications that limit the scope of work they can do. For foundation repair, a company could have a combination of the A9 (Piers and Foundations), B-7 (Residential Remodeling), or C-5 (Concrete Contracting) classifications. Talk to staff to gain additional insight into a company's experience. You should ask about local inspection processes, permit ordinances and building codes.
One of the easiest ways to evaluate a company's reputation is to go to its website. Look for the company's years in business and what credentials its team holds. Many prominent companies offer educational content for future customers.
Customer Reviews
Before signing a contract with a company, examine 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 manages 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 properly, you should avoid working with it.
Finally, we recommend you search additional sites, including Trustpilot and Google, for more opinions.
Foundation Repair Cost in Carson City
Foundation repair costs can differ significantly based on the degree of the problems and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation cracking and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable destruction, the typical cost will be around $2,700. More involved jobs involving tunneling, helical piers, or major concrete leveling could run you $6,800. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $323 |
Leak Repair | $2,548 |
Stabilization | $4,382 |
Underpinning | $1,238 |
Waterproofing | $2,810 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Carson City
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Carson City?
What are the different types of foundations in Carson City?
What preventive measures can I take to avoid foundation issues?
- Ensure your home's gutters and downspouts are in good condition 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.
- Check your foundation for signs of damage, and fix any issues promptly.
Do I need to leave my home for foundation repair work?
That said, foundation repair crews use heavy machinery, and you'll occasionally experience loud noises or vibrations. If either of these will disturb you, you might prefer to leave and return when the crew is finished.
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)