Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Charleston
Some typical reasons why Charleston homeowners deal with foundation woes include:
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can be menacing to your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your gutter system doesn't protect.
- Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Charleston experiences, the soil absorbs moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction stresses nearby foundations, even if the foundations keep dry.
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't performed properly could result in your foundation settling.
- Aging plumbing: Charleston has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1966. Many of these properties use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leakage could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through cracks, and may apply force that leads to your foundation fracturing, pipes being damaged, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Choosing a foundation provider doesn't have to be difficult. We encourage you to write down what you want most in a contractor, then evaluate each provider on your selection against these qualities.
Licensing and Experience
All West Virginia contractors, including foundation repair companies, must get a license from the state's Contractor Licensing Board. Licensure shows that a company follows tax and labor laws, as well as insurance and bonding standards. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through what its representatives say. Inquire about its inspection methods, local codes, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.
One of the simplest ways to evaluate a company's reputation is to visit its website. Look for the company's history and what credentials its team holds. Many prominent companies publish educational content for prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
We recommend examining the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to determine whether it's accredited and has a high customer review score. You can check whether other homeowners have shared satisfaction or filed complaints. Pay special attention to what customers say about company warranties. Negative feedback doesn't mean a contractor is unreliable. BBB reviews show how the company addressed complaints. It's a positive sign if the company has settled issues proactively and favorably. You should stay away from a company with more negative reviews, no credentials, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Charleston
The cost of foundation repair can range widely depending on the scale of the issues and what needs to be done to address them. For minor foundation fissures and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,700. However, if there is considerable deterioration, the average cost will likely fall around $2,000. More complex jobs involving excavation, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $6,500 or more. Below are the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $254 |
Leak Repair | $1,882 |
Stabilization | $3,147 |
Underpinning | $978 |
Waterproofing | $2,063 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Charleston
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Charleston?
What's the time to complete a typical foundation repair job?
Are there any warranties or guarantees provided with Charleston foundation repair services?
What preventive measures can I take to avoid foundation issues?
- Ensure your home's gutters and downspouts are properly installed and direct water away from your foundation to avoid 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 slope away from your foundation, promoting water drainage and minimizing 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)