Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Cumberland
A few factors can lead to foundation issues. Here are the most widespread ones for Cumberland residents:
- Soil composition: Soil with large clay or sand concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Cumberland gets, 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 stay dry.
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plummet, topsoil freezes rapidly and lower layers can't expand, pushing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can be a menace to your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your gutter system doesn't protect.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through cracks, and may exert pressure that causes your foundation cracking, pipes rupturing, and overall structural deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
When choosing a foundation contractor, you should consider your personal priorities. Ask each provider on your list about the following qualities.
Licensing and Experience
Rhode Island requires foundation and concrete contractors to register with the State Building Office. To register, a company owner must prove they have minimum liability coverage, submit business filings, and take a five-hour course. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through the information its team gives you. Inquire about its inspection processes, local codes, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.
Contractor websites are among the best places to do your research. Usually, a company will discuss how long it's been in business. It might also share blog posts to help potential clients.
Customer Reviews
We suggest checking the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to find out 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 responds to them. If the management team proactively and consistently resolves issues, it's a good sign. However, if the company lacks accreditation, has an abundance of negative feedback, and doesn't communicate well, you should avoid working with it.
Finally, we suggest you search additional sites, like Trustpilot and Google, for more opinions.
Foundation Repair Cost in Cumberland
Foundation repair costs can differ significantly based on the degree 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 considerable destruction, the average cost will be around $2,600. More intricate jobs involving digging, helical piers, or extensive concrete leveling could run you $6,800. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $317 |
Leak Repair | $2,496 |
Stabilization | $4,286 |
Underpinning | $1,218 |
Waterproofing | $2,752 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Cumberland
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Cumberland?
What are some signs I need foundation waterproofing?
Note that there are two kinds of waterproofing. Interior waterproofing involves installing sump pumps and drains or using sealants around a basement. Outdoor waterproofing is usually less expensive. It involves installing exterior drains and establishing physical barriers between your foundation and yard.
What are some "red flags" indicating a foundation company to avoid?
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)