Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Oyster Bay
A few factors can lead to foundation issues. Here are the most widespread ones for Oyster Bay residents:
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can threaten your foundation's integrity, especially when it gathers in areas your drainage system doesn't cover.
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't completed to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
- Aging plumbing: Oyster Bay has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1960. 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 Oyster Bay 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 stay dry.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can intrude into a home's foundation through crevices, and may exert pressure that causes your foundation cracking, pipes being damaged, 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 company 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. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through what its representatives say. Ask about its inspection methods, local building regulations, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.
Another way to determine a company's reputation is to examine its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade accreditations. It might also share insights and knowledge through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
Before choosing a company, review its online profile with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can examine both positive reviews and complaints. Complaints aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. Instead, discover how a company responds to 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 effectively, you should avoid working with it.
Finally, we encourage you to search additional sites, like Trustpilot and Google, for additional feedback.
Foundation Repair Cost in Oyster Bay
The price of foundation repair can vary substantially depending on the extent of the issues and what's needed to resolve them. For minor foundation cracking and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is substantial damage, the average cost lands at about $3,300. More involved projects involving tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $7,000. Below are 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 Oyster Bay
How much does foundation repair cost in Oyster Bay?
Can a foundation always be fixed?
Do Oyster Bay foundation repair companies offer warranties or guarantees?
What preventive measures can I take to avoid foundation issues?
- Ensure your home's gutters and downspouts are properly installed and direct water away from your foundation to avoid water accumulation.
- Irrigate the soil around your foundation consistently, especially during dry spells, to prevent shrinking and expansion.
- If possible, grade the soil around your home to angle away from your foundation, promoting water drainage and minimizing the risk of foundation issues.
- Check your foundation for cracks, and fix any issues immediately.
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)