Common Causes of Foundation Problems in West Allis
A few typical reasons why West Allis homeowners experience foundation problems include:
- Aging plumbing: West Allis has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1955. Many of these properties use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leakage could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can harm your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your gutters don't protect.
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't done properly could result in your foundation settling.
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plunge, topsoil freezes rapidly and lower layers can't expand, pushing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through cracks, and may exert pressure that causes your foundation fracturing, pipes rupturing, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
To choose a foundation repair contractor, you should consider what's most important to you. Use this guide to help you go through the process.
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. Talk to staff to gain more insight into a company's experience. You should ask about local building codes, inspection processes and permit ordinances.
Another way to evaluate a company's reputation is to look at its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade qualifications. It might also share knowledge and insights through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
Before committing to a company, review 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 handles 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 effectively, you should think twice about working with it.
Lastly, we suggest you search other platforms, such as Trustpilot and Google, for additional feedback.
Foundation Repair Cost in West Allis
The price of your foundation repair project can range widely depending on the severity of the issues and what must be fixed. For minor foundation fissures and settling problems, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is substantial deterioration, the typical cost lands at about $2,800. More intricate projects requiring tunneling, 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 | $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 West Allis
How much does foundation repair cost in West Allis?
What are some signs I need foundation waterproofing?
Note that there are two kinds of waterproofing. Interior waterproofing involves installing sump pumps and drains or using sealants around a cellar. Exterior waterproofing is usually less expensive. It involves installing exterior drains and forming physical barriers between your foundation and yard.
What's the time to complete a typical foundation repair job?
Are there telltale signs I should avoid a particular foundation company?
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.
More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)