Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Durham
A home in Durham might experience foundation issues for numerous reasons. Some are specific to the local environment, while others are prevalent nationwide. They include:
- Soil composition: Soil with large clay or sand concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Durham experiences, the soil absorbs moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction stresses nearby foundations, even if the foundations stay dry.
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can be menacing to your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your gutter system doesn't reach.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't performed properly could lead to your foundation settling.
- Aging plumbing: While many Durham homes are fairly new, some still use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, 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 create stress that leads to your foundation cracking, pipes rupturing, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
To pick a foundation repair contractor, you should think about what's most important to you. Use this list of qualities to help you steer the process.
Licensing and Experience
According to the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors, foundation repair and concrete companies in the state must have either a Building Contractor license, a Residential Contractor license, or both. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about how its team will draft plans and pull permits, how the company inspects foundations, and what local codes apply to your project.
Contractor websites are among the best places to do your research. Typically, a company will display how long it's been in business. It might also upload articles to assist interested parties.
Customer Reviews
We suggest examining the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to determine whether it's accredited and has a positive customer review score. You can see whether other homeowners have reported satisfaction or filed complaints. Pay special attention to what customers say about company warranties. Complaints aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. Instead, discover how a company manages them. If the management team consistently and proactively resolves issues, it's a good sign. However, if the company lacks accreditation, has more negative reviews, and doesn't communicate properly, you should avoid working with it.
Finally, we suggest you search different websites, including Trustpilot and Google, for other reviews.
Foundation Repair Cost in Durham
The price of foundation repair can range widely depending on the extent of the issues and what's necessary to resolve them. For minor foundation fissures and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is significant deterioration, the normal cost is about $2,700. More involved projects involving tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $6,800. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $326 |
Leak Repair | $2,578 |
Stabilization | $4,437 |
Underpinning | $1,250 |
Waterproofing | $2,844 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Durham
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Durham?
What are the different types of foundations in Durham?
What preventive measures can I take to avoid foundation issues?
- Ensure your home's gutters and downspouts are in good condition and direct water away from your foundation to avoid water accumulation.
- Water the soil around your foundation evenly, especially during dry spells, to prevent expansion and shrinking.
- If possible, grade the soil around your home to slope 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 immediately.
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)