Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Mentor
A home in Mentor might experience foundation issues for various reasons. Some are specific to the local environment, while others are widespread nationwide. They include:
- Aging plumbing: The average Mentor home construction year is 1974. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plummet, topsoil abruptly ices over and lower layers can't expand, forcing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can be a menace to your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your drainage system doesn't cover.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through cracks, and may create stress that causes your foundation breaking, pipes leaking, and overall structural deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's integrity weighs heavily on its foundation. It's crucial to select the best team possible. Focus your research on these attributes:
Licensing and Experience
While Ohio doesn't regulate foundation repair companies at a state level, cities can choose to require licenses, exams, or continuing education. Contact the Mentor city hall, Lake County, or your regional building district for more information about what's necessary. Talk to staff to gain further insight into a company's experience. You should ask about local permit ordinances, building codes and inspection processes.
One of the easiest ways to evaluate a company's reputation is to go to its website. Look for the company's years in business and the qualifications its team holds. Many prominent companies provide educational content for prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
Before selecting a company, check its online profile with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can examine both complaints and positive reviews. Complaints don't mean a contractor is unreliable. BBB reviews show how the company dealt with complaints. It's a positive sign if the company has resolved issues appropriately and proactively. You should avoid a company with numerous negative reviews, no accreditation, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Mentor
The price of your foundation repair project can differ quite significantly based on the severity of the issues and what must be fixed. For minor foundation cracking and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is significant deterioration, the typical cost falls at about $2,600. More involved projects requiring excavating, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $6,800+. Below are the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $318 |
Leak Repair | $2,506 |
Stabilization | $4,304 |
Underpinning | $1,222 |
Waterproofing | $2,763 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Mentor
How much does foundation repair cost in Mentor?
Are there any warranties or guarantees provided with Mentor foundation repair services?
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 prevent water accumulation.
- Irrigate 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.
- Keep an eye on your foundation for cracks, and repair any issues promptly.
Will foundation repair disrupt my daily routine while the work's being done?
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)