Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Bellingham
A few frequent reasons why Bellingham homeowners suffer from foundation woes include:
- Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can be a menace to your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your drainage system doesn't protect.
- Soil composition: Soil with large clay or sand concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Bellingham gets, the soil absorbs moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction puts pressure on nearby foundations, even if the foundations keep dry.
- Aging plumbing: While many Bellingham 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 cracks, and may create stress that causes your foundation fracturing, pipes rupturing, and overall structural deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's foundation is crucial to its structural integrity, so it's important to work with a top-notch foundation repair contractor. Assess each company using the following criteria:
Licensing and Experience
Washington foundation repair companies can be either general or specialty contractors. Look for companies with a concrete certification, showing that they follow best practices in the foundation field. 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 most effective ways to assess a company's reputation is to browse its website. Look for how long the company has operated and the accreditations its team holds. Many top companies offer educational content for prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
We advise examining the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to see whether it's accredited and has a positive 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. Negative feedback doesn't mean a contractor is bad news. BBB reviews show how the company dealt with complaints. It's a positive sign if the company has settled issues favorably and proactively. You should steer clear of a company with numerous negative reviews, no certifications, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Bellingham
The price of your foundation repair project can differ quite significantly based on the severity of the issues and what needs to be fixed. For minor foundation fissures and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is substantial deterioration, the normal cost falls at about $2,600. More complex projects requiring digging, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $6,800+. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $318 |
Leak Repair | $2,500 |
Stabilization | $4,293 |
Underpinning | $1,220 |
Waterproofing | $2,756 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Bellingham
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Bellingham?
When would I need a foundation replacement, and when could I just get a repair?
When do I need to waterproof my foundation?
- Flooding
- Hairline cracks
- Uneven floors
- Discoloration or odors
- Mold and mildew
- Plumbing leaks
Will my homeowners insurance cover foundation repair?
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)