Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Hickory
Foundation issues have some possible causes. Here are the top ones for Hickory residents:
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can be a menace to your foundation's integrity, especially when it gathers in areas your gutter system doesn't protect.
- Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Hickory gets, 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.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't performed to standard could result in your foundation settling.
- Aging plumbing: While many Hickory homes are fairly new, some still 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 causes your foundation breaking, pipes being damaged, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's stability weighs heavily on its foundation. It's important to choose the best team possible. Focus your research on these features:
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, what local codes apply to your project, and how the company inspects foundations.
Another way to assess a company's credibility is to examine its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade qualifications. It might also share insights and knowledge through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
Before choosing a company, examine 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 consistently and proactively 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 think twice about working with it.
Finally, we suggest you search additional sites, like Trustpilot and Google, for other reviews.
Foundation Repair Cost in Hickory
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 $1,800. However, if there is substantial damage, the normal cost lands at about $2,700. More complex projects involving excavating, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $6,800. Below are 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 Hickory
How much does foundation repair cost in Hickory?
What are the different types of foundations in Hickory?
When do I need to waterproof my foundation?
Note that there are two kinds of waterproofing. Interior waterproofing involves installing drains and sump pumps or using sealants around a cellar. Outdoor waterproofing is generally less expensive. It involves installing exterior drains and creating physical barriers between your foundation and lawn.
Do I need to leave my home for foundation repair work?
That said, foundation repair crews use heavy equipment, 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)