Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Oakton
A home in Oakton might experience foundation issues for multiple reasons. Some are unique to the local environment, while others are common nationwide. They include:
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can be menacing to your foundation, especially when it gathers in areas your gutter system doesn't protect.
- Aging plumbing: The average Oakton home construction year is 1979. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have 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 result in your foundation settling.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through cracks, and may apply force that results in your foundation breaking, pipes leaking, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
To pick a foundation repair contractor, you should consider what's most important to you. Use this guide to help you navigate the process.
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 what local codes apply to your project, how the company inspects foundations, and how its team will draft plans and pull permits.
One of the best ways to evaluate a company's reputation is to explore its website. Look for the company's history and the accreditations its team holds. Many well-known companies offer educational content for potential customers.
Customer Reviews
Before selecting a company, check its online profile with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can examine both complaints and positive reviews. Complaints don't mean a contractor is unreliable. BBB reviews show how the company addressed complaints. It's a positive sign if the company has resolved issues appropriately and proactively. You should stay away from a company with more negative reviews, no certifications, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Oakton
Foundation repair costs can differ significantly based on the extent of the problems and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation cracking and settling problems, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is quite substantial deterioration, the typical cost will be around $3,000. More involved jobs involving digging, helical piers, or extensive concrete leveling could run you $6,900. See below 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 Oakton
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)