Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Racine
A home in Racine might experience foundation issues for numerous reasons. Some are specific to the local environment, while others are prevalent nationwide. They include:
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plunge, topsoil abruptly ices over and lower layers can't expand, pushing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't performed properly could result in your foundation settling.
- Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can threaten your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your gutter system doesn't reach.
- Aging plumbing: Racine has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1962. 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 create stress that causes your foundation breaking, pipes rupturing, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's stability weighs heavily on its foundation. It's vital to choose the best team possible. Focus your research on these attributes:
Licensing and Experience
According to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, all foundation repair companies must have a Dwelling Contractor certification. To earn and keep a license, a contractor must take a 12-hour preapplication course and take continuing education every other year. 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 measure a company's credibility is to examine its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade credentials. It might also share insights and knowledge through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
When you're researching a company's standing, go to 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. Instead, discover how a company manages them. If the management team consistently and proactively resolves issues, it's a good sign. However, if the company lacks accreditation, has more negative reviews, and doesn't communicate well, you should avoid working with it.
Lastly, we recommend you search other platforms, like Trustpilot and Google, for additional feedback.
Foundation Repair Cost in Racine
The price of foundation repair can range widely depending on the scale of the issues and what's needed to resolve them. For minor foundation fissures and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is substantial damage, the average cost is about $2,800. More intricate projects involving digging, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $6,800. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $332 |
Leak Repair | $2,634 |
Stabilization | $4,541 |
Underpinning | $1,272 |
Waterproofing | $2,906 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Racine
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)