Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Shoreline
A home in Shoreline might experience foundation issues for various reasons. Some are specific to the local environment, while others are widespread nationwide. They include:
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't done properly could result in your foundation settling.
- Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can be a menace to your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your drainage system doesn't reach.
- Aging plumbing: The average Shoreline home construction year is 1967. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Shoreline experiences, 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 keep dry.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can intrude into a home's foundation through crevices, and may apply force that leads to your foundation cracking, pipes leaking, and overall structural weakening.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
To pick a foundation repair business, you should consider what's most important to you. Use this guide to help you go through the process.
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. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through the information its team gives you. Inquire about its inspection methods, local code requirements, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.
One of the easiest ways to evaluate a company's reputation is to browse its website. Look for how long the company has operated and what credentials its team holds. Many top companies provide educational content for potential customers.
Customer Reviews
Before committing to a company, examine its online profile with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can examine both positive reviews and complaints. Complaints aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. Instead, discover how a company manages them. If the management team proactively and consistently resolves issues, it's a good sign. However, if the company lacks accreditation, has more negative reviews, and doesn't communicate well, you should think twice about working with it.
Lastly, we suggest you search other platforms, like Trustpilot and Google, for other reviews.
Foundation Repair Cost in Shoreline
The cost of foundation repair can vary quite a bit depending on the severity of the issues and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation fractures and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable damage, the average cost will likely fall around $3,000. More complex jobs involving tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $6,900 or more. Below are 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 Shoreline
How much does foundation repair cost in Shoreline?
What are the different types of foundations in Shoreline?
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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)