Common Causes of Foundation Problems in East Brunswick
A few factors can contribute to foundation issues. Here are the most prevalent ones for East Brunswick residents:
- Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall East Brunswick receives, the soil soaks up moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction presses against nearby foundations, even if the foundations keep dry.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't completed to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can threaten your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your gutter system doesn't reach.
- Aging plumbing: The average East Brunswick home construction year is 1973. 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 enter a home's foundation through crevices, and may exert pressure that causes your foundation fracturing, pipes rupturing, and overall structural deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
When choosing a foundation repair company, you should consider your personal priorities. Ask each provider on your list about the following qualities.
Licensing and Experience
New Jersey requires home improvement contractors, including foundation companies, to register with the state's Division of Consumer Affairs. They're also required to apply for a home repair contractor license with the Department of Banking and Insurance, which regulates the financial business of construction work. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about how its team will draft plans and pull permits, what local codes apply to your project, and how the company inspects foundations.
Contractor websites are some of the best places to do your research. Typically, a business will show how long it's been operating. It might also share articles to help prospective 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. You want to discover how a company handles them. If the management team consistently and proactively resolves issues, it's a good sign. However, if the company lacks accreditation, has an abundance of negative feedback, and doesn't communicate well, you should think twice about working with it.
Lastly, we suggest you search other platforms, such as Trustpilot and Google, for additional feedback.
Foundation Repair Cost in East Brunswick
The price of your foundation repair project can differ quite significantly depending on the extent of the issues and what needs to be fixed. For minor foundation cracking and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is substantial deterioration, the average cost is about $3,500. More complex projects requiring excavating, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $7,100+. Below are the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $406 |
Leak Repair | $3,356 |
Stabilization | $5,879 |
Underpinning | $1,553 |
Waterproofing | $3,716 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in East Brunswick
What will I pay to repair my foundation in East Brunswick?
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 generally less expensive. It involves installing exterior drains and establishing physical barriers between your foundation and yard.
How long does foundation repair usually take?
Do East Brunswick foundation repair companies offer warranties or guarantees?
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)