Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Paterson
A few typical reasons why Paterson homeowners encounter foundation woes include:
- Aging plumbing: Paterson has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1955. Many of these properties use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Paterson gets, the soil soaks up moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction puts pressure on nearby foundations, even if the foundations keep dry.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't performed to standard could result in your foundation settling.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can intrude into a home's foundation through crevices, and may exert pressure that leads to your foundation breaking, pipes rupturing, and overall structural destabilization.
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 what local codes apply to your project, how its team will draft plans and pull permits, and how the company inspects foundations.
One of the easiest ways to evaluate a company's reputation is to visit its website. Look for the company's history and the accreditations its team holds. Many prominent companies publish educational content for potential customers.
Customer Reviews
When you're researching a company's credibility, check out 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. Negative feedback doesn't mean a contractor is unreliable. BBB reviews show how the company addressed complaints. It's a good sign if the company has fixed issues favorably and proactively. You should steer clear of a company with numerous negative reviews, no accreditation, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Paterson
The price of foundation repair can vary substantially based on the severity of the issues and what must be fixed. For minor foundation cracking and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is considerable damage, the average cost falls at about $3,500. More intricate projects requiring excavating, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $7,100+. See below 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 Paterson
How much does foundation repair cost in Paterson?
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 basement. Exterior waterproofing is usually less expensive. It involves installing exterior drains and forming physical barriers between your foundation and lawn.
How long does foundation repair usually take?
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)