Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Mechanicsville
A few factors can contribute to foundation issues. These are the most widespread ones for Mechanicsville residents:
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can harm your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your drainage system doesn't cover.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't performed to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
- Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Mechanicsville experiences, the soil soaks up 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.
- Aging plumbing: While many Mechanicsville 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 encroach on a home's foundation through crevices, and may exert pressure that results in your foundation fracturing, pipes leaking, and overall structural weakening.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Choosing a foundation company doesn't have to be challenging. We encourage you to jot down what you desire most in a company, then evaluate each company on your shortlist against these qualities.
Licensing and Experience
The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation issues licenses to foundation repair companies. The license a company has determines what work it can do and what size projects it can handle. 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.
Another way to gauge a company's standing is to examine its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade accreditations. It might also share knowledge and insights through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
When you're researching a company's reputation, 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. Complaints aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. You want to discover how a company responds to them. If the management team consistently and proactively resolves issues, it's a good sign. However, if the company lacks accreditation, shows more negative reviews than positive ones, and doesn't communicate properly, you should think twice about working with it.
Lastly, we suggest you search additional sites, including Trustpilot and Google, for more opinions.
Foundation Repair Cost in Mechanicsville
The price of foundation repair can differ quite significantly depending on the degree of the issues and what's required to resolve them. For minor foundation cracking and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable damage, the typical cost is about $3,000. More involved projects involving excavating, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $6,900. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $358 |
Leak Repair | $2,889 |
Stabilization | $5,014 |
Underpinning | $1,371 |
Waterproofing | $3,193 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Mechanicsville
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Mechanicsville?
Do Mechanicsville foundation repair companies offer warranties or guarantees?
What are some "red flags" indicating a foundation company to avoid?
Do I need to leave my home for foundation repair work?
That said, foundation repair crews use industrial 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)