Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Clarkstown
A few factors can contribute to foundation issues. Here are the most common ones for Clarkstown residents:
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't done to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plummet, topsoil freezes rapidly and lower layers can't expand, pushing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Aging plumbing: The average Clarkstown home construction year is 1968. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leakage could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through crevices, and may exert pressure that results in your foundation cracking, pipes leaking, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
To select a foundation repair business, you should think about what's most important to you. Use this guide to help you steer the process.
Licensing and Experience
New York's state government doesn't issue contracting licenses, but cities often choose to require them of foundation companies and other builders. For example, New York City requires foundation and excavating contractors to obtain a "Safety Registration Number" with a concrete work endorsement. They also need to register as a general contractor or home improvement contractor. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through the information its team gives you. Ask about its inspection processes, local building regulations, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.
Contractor websites are some of the best places to do your research. Usually, a foundation company will disclose how long it's been in the industry. It might also share blog posts to assist prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
When you're researching a company's reputation, go to its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. There, you can find its rating and a list of customer reviews, both positive experiences and complaints. Complaints aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. You want to 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, shows more negative reviews than positive ones, and doesn't communicate well, you should avoid working with it.
Finally, we suggest you search other platforms, like Trustpilot and Google, for more opinions.
Foundation Repair Cost in Clarkstown
Foundation repair costs can vary substantially based on the degree of the problems and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation fissuring and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable destruction, the typical cost will be around $3,000. More intricate jobs involving tunneling, helical piers, or extensive concrete leveling could run you $6,900. Below are the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $358 |
Leak Repair | $2,885 |
Stabilization | $5,007 |
Underpinning | $1,370 |
Waterproofing | $3,188 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Clarkstown
How much does foundation repair cost in Clarkstown?
Are there any warranties or guarantees provided with Clarkstown foundation repair services?
What preventive measures can I take to avoid foundation issues?
- Make sure your home's gutters and downspouts are in good condition and direct water away from your foundation to avoid water accumulation.
- Irrigate the soil around your foundation evenly, especially during dry spells, to prevent shrinking and expansion.
- If possible, grade the soil around your home to angle away from your foundation, encouraging 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 tremors. 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)