Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Gresham
A home in Gresham might experience foundation issues for numerous reasons. Some are unique to the local environment, while others are common nationwide. They include:
- Aging plumbing: The average Gresham home construction year is 1981. 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.
- Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Gresham 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.
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can threaten your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your drainage system doesn't protect.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through cracks, and may apply force that leads to your foundation cracking, 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 crucial to choose the most qualified crew possible. Focus your research on these characteristics:
Licensing and Experience
Oregon foundation repair companies need either a Residential General Contractor or Residential Specialty Contractor license from the state Construction Contractors Board. 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.
Contractor websites are excellent places to do your research. Typically, a company will discuss how long it's been in the industry. It might also publish other content to assist prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
When you're researching a company's credibility, check out its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. There, you can find its rating and a list of customer reviews, both complaints and positive experiences. 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 an abundance of negative feedback, and doesn't communicate effectively, you should think twice about working with it.
Lastly, we encourage you to search additional sites, like Trustpilot and Google, for other reviews.
Foundation Repair Cost in Gresham
The price of foundation repair can vary substantially depending on the extent of the issues and what needs to be fixed. For minor foundation fracturing and settling problems, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is considerable deterioration, the normal cost is about $3,300. More intricate projects requiring excavating, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $7,000+. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $386 |
Leak Repair | $3,162 |
Stabilization | $5,520 |
Underpinning | $1,478 |
Waterproofing | $3,499 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Gresham
How much does foundation repair cost in Gresham?
Can a foundation always be fixed?
Is foundation repair covered under my homeowners insurance?
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.
- 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 angle away from your foundation, encouraging water drainage and reducing the risk of foundation issues.
- Keep an eye on your foundation for cracks, and fix any issues promptly.
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)