Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Penn Hills
A few factors can lead to foundation issues. Here are the most widespread ones for Penn Hills residents:
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plummet, topsoil abruptly ices over and lower layers can't expand, forcing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Aging plumbing: Penn Hills has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1958. Many of these properties use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't performed to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can be menacing to your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your drainage system doesn't protect.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through cracks, and may create stress that results in your foundation fracturing, pipes rupturing, and overall structural weakening.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's foundation is essential to its structural integrity, so it's important to work with a trustworthy foundation repair contractor. Assess each company using the following criteria:
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 its team will draft plans and pull permits, how the company inspects foundations, and what local codes apply to your project.
Contractor websites are some of the best places to do your research. Typically, a company will mention how long it's been in business. It might also upload articles 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. Remember that complaints don't necessarily mean a contractor is incompetent. The BBB shows how companies resolve complaints. A responsive team that aims to achieve amicable outcomes is a good one. Steer clear of a contractor if you don't see effective communication about problems.
Foundation Repair Cost in Penn Hills
Foundation repair costs can vary substantially based on the degree of the problems and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation fracturing and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is quite substantial damage, the normal cost will be around $2,600. More complex jobs involving excavation, helical piers, or major concrete leveling could run you $6,800. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $315 |
Leak Repair | $2,478 |
Stabilization | $4,252 |
Underpinning | $1,211 |
Waterproofing | $2,732 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Penn Hills
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Penn Hills?
Can a foundation always be fixed?
When do I need to waterproof my foundation?
- Flooding
- Uneven floors
- Discoloration or odors
- Mold and mildew
- Plumbing leaks
- Hairline cracks
What are some "red flags" indicating a foundation company to avoid?
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)