Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Cookeville
Foundation issues have some possible causes. Here are the most frequent ones for Cookeville residents:
- Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can be menacing to your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your gutter system doesn't cover.
- Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Cookeville receives, the soil soaks up moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction stresses nearby foundations, even if the foundations stay dry.
- Aging plumbing: While many Cookeville homes are fairly new, some still use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through crevices, and may create stress that leads to your foundation fracturing, pipes being damaged, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
To choose a foundation repair company, you should determine what's most important to you. Use this guide to help you go through the process.
Licensing and Experience
In Tennessee, foundation work has its own residential building contractor license classification. Any company that performs foundation work valued at over $25,000 must have a license, no matter whether it is a primary contractor or subcontractor. 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.
One of the easiest ways to evaluate a company's reputation is to find its website. Look for the company's years in business and the qualifications its team holds. Many well-known companies provide educational content for prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
Before choosing a company, review its online profile with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can examine both complaints and positive reviews. Remember that complaints don't necessarily mean a contractor is unqualified. The BBB shows how companies address complaints. A responsive team that strives for excellent outcomes is a good one. Steer clear of a contractor if you don't see clear communication about problems.
Foundation Repair Cost in Cookeville
The price of your foundation repair project can range widely depending on the scale of the issues and what needs to be fixed. For minor foundation fissures and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,700. However, if there is substantial deterioration, the typical cost lands at about $1,500. More intricate projects requiring tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $6,400+. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $203 |
Leak Repair | $1,397 |
Stabilization | $2,249 |
Underpinning | $789 |
Waterproofing | $1,519 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Cookeville
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Cookeville?
What's the time to complete a typical foundation repair job?
Do Cookeville foundation repair companies offer warranties or guarantees?
What preventive measures can I take to avoid foundation issues?
- Make sure your home's gutters and downspouts are properly installed and direct water away from your foundation to prevent water accumulation.
- Irrigate the soil around your foundation evenly, especially during dry spells, to prevent shrinking and expansion.
- 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 address any issues immediately.
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)