Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Long Beach
Some typical reasons why Long Beach homeowners deal with foundation woes include:
- Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can harm your foundation, especially when it gathers in areas your drainage system doesn't protect.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't completed properly could lead to your foundation settling.
- Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Long Beach experiences, 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.
- Aging plumbing: Long Beach has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1957. Many of these properties use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through cracks, and may exert pressure that results in your foundation cracking, pipes rupturing, and overall structural deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's stability depends greatly on its foundation. It's vital to choose the most qualified crew possible. Center your research on these features:
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 details its representatives share. Inquire about its inspection methods, local building regulations, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.
One of the simplest ways to assess a company's reputation is to find its website. Look for how long the company has operated and what credentials its team holds. Many top companies publish educational content for future customers.
Customer Reviews
We recommend reviewing the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to find out whether it's accredited and has a high customer review score. You can check whether other homeowners have shared satisfaction or filed complaints. Pay special attention to what customers say about company warranties. Negative feedback doesn't mean a contractor is bad news. BBB reviews show how the company dealt with complaints. It's a good sign if the company has fixed issues favorably and proactively. You should avoid a company with more negative reviews, no certifications, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Long Beach
The price of your foundation repair project can differ quite significantly depending on the scale of the issues and what must be fixed. For minor foundation cracking and settling problems, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is significant damage, the average cost is about $3,300. More complex 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 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Long Beach
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Long Beach?
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)