Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Hicksville
A few factors can contribute to foundation issues. These are the most widespread ones for Hicksville residents:
- Aging plumbing: Hicksville has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1956. Many of these properties use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leakage could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't completed to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
- Soil composition: Soil with large clay or sand concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Hicksville receives, the soil absorbs moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction presses against nearby foundations, even if the foundations stay dry.
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can harm your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your gutter system doesn't cover.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through crevices, and may create stress that causes your foundation fracturing, pipes rupturing, and overall structural deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
When choosing a foundation contractor, you should consider your personal priorities. Ask each provider on your list about the following qualities.
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. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about how the company inspects foundations, what local codes apply to your project, and how its team will draft plans and pull permits.
Another way to evaluate a company's credibility is to examine its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade credentials. It might also share knowledge and insights through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
Before committing to a company, check its online profile with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can examine both positive reviews and complaints. Negative feedback doesn't mean a contractor is unreliable. BBB reviews show how the company handled complaints. It's a positive sign if the company has fixed issues proactively and favorably. You should stay away from a company with more negative reviews, no licensure, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Hicksville
The price of your foundation repair project can range widely depending on the scale 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 substantial damage, the typical cost lands at about $3,300. More involved projects requiring tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $7,000+. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $382 |
Leak Repair | $3,118 |
Stabilization | $5,439 |
Underpinning | $1,461 |
Waterproofing | $3,450 |
Ready to Get a Quote on Your Foundation Repair Project?
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Hicksville
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Hicksville?
What are the different types of foundations in Hicksville?
How long does foundation repair usually take?
What are some "red flags" indicating a foundation company to avoid?
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)