Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Cheltenham
A home in Cheltenham might experience foundation issues for a variety of reasons. Some are unique to the local environment, while others are widespread nationwide. They include:
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't completed to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
- Aging plumbing: Cheltenham has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1954. Many of these properties use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leakage could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can harm your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your drainage system doesn't cover.
- Soil composition: Soil with large clay or sand concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Cheltenham receives, the soil absorbs moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction presses against nearby foundations, even if the foundations keep dry.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through crevices, and may exert pressure that causes your foundation cracking, pipes being damaged, and overall structural weakening.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
When choosing a foundation company, you should consider your personal priorities. Ask each provider on your list about the following qualities.
Licensing and Experience
According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General, foundation contractors must register with the commonwealth if they make between $5,000 and $50 million in annual revenue. Registration doesn't involve exams, but it does show a contractor meets bond, insurance, and background check requirements. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through the details its representatives share. Ask about its inspection methods, local codes, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.
Another way to assess a company's reputation is to check its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade qualifications. It might also share knowledge and insights through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
We suggest examining the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to find out whether it's accredited and has a positive customer review score. You can see whether other homeowners have expressed 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 well, you should think twice about working with it.
Lastly, we suggest you search other platforms, such as Trustpilot and Google, for other reviews.
Foundation Repair Cost in Cheltenham
The price of your foundation repair project can differ quite significantly depending on the extent of the issues and what must be fixed. For minor foundation cracking and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is substantial deterioration, the typical cost falls at about $3,600. More intricate projects requiring digging, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $7,100+. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $413 |
Leak Repair | $3,424 |
Stabilization | $6,005 |
Underpinning | $1,580 |
Waterproofing | $3,792 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Cheltenham
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Cheltenham?
Is foundation repair covered under my homeowners insurance?
Do Cheltenham foundation repair companies offer warranties or guarantees?
Will foundation repair disrupt my daily routine while the work's being done?
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)