Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Falls
A home in Falls might experience foundation issues for numerous reasons. Some are specific to the local environment, while others are widespread nationwide. They include:
- Aging plumbing: The average Falls home construction year is 1969. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leakage could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't done properly could lead to your foundation settling.
- 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 reach.
- Soil composition: Soil with large clay or sand concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Falls receives, the soil absorbs moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction puts pressure on nearby foundations, even if the foundations stay dry.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through crevices, and may exert pressure that causes your foundation fracturing, pipes leaking, and overall structural deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
When choosing a foundation repair company, you should consider your personal priorities. Ask each contractor 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. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about how the company inspects foundations, how its team will draft plans and pull permits, and what local codes apply to your project.
Contractor websites are some of the best places to do your research. Usually, a foundation company will show how long it's been operating. It might also publish blog posts to help potential clients.
Customer Reviews
We advise checking the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to determine whether it's accredited and has a good customer review score. You can check 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 handles 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 suggest you search different websites, like Trustpilot and Google, for additional feedback.
Foundation Repair Cost in Falls
Foundation repair costs can range quite widely based on the extent of the problems and what must be done to fix them. For minor foundation fissuring and settling problems, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is quite substantial damage, the typical cost will be around $3,100. More complex jobs involving excavation, helical piers, or extensive concrete leveling could run you $6,900. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $359 |
Leak Repair | $2,899 |
Stabilization | $5,032 |
Underpinning | $1,375 |
Waterproofing | $3,204 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Falls
How much does foundation repair cost in Falls?
What's the most popular foundation type in Falls?
Is foundation repair covered under my homeowners insurance?
Do I need to leave my home for foundation repair work?
That said, foundation repair crews use heavy machinery, and you'll occasionally experience loud noises or vibrations. 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)