It’s often said that a house that’s not built on solid ground cannot and will not weather a coming storm. This holds true with your mental state as well as your physical house itself. Living in a house with serious foundation problems can pose serious safety and health risks to you and your family.
If you know or suspect that your home needs foundation repairs, you may not know what to expect. Here’s what you need to know about common issues your foundation can have, why it’s important to repair them, and what you can expect these repairs to cost.
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Warning Signs of a Failing Foundation
So, first off, let’s discuss how you can tell that your house’s foundation is failing. Some common warning signs that home foundation repairs are imminent can include, but are not limited to:
Don’t Slip Through the Cracks
This should go without saying, but if there are cracks appearing inside or outside of your house, it’s not a good sign. Large cracks in the stairs or outside walls, zig-zagging cracks in the sheetrock, and cracks in the tiles on your bathroom or kitchen floor can all portend serious foundation damage.
Something Seems Askew
Have you ever looked at your doors or windows, tilted your head from side to side, and thought it looked a bit off-kilter? Or else, walked across the floor and found it sloping at an odd angle? While most homes don’t have completely even doors and floors after years of settling, if something looks askew and cracks surround your doors, then there’s a serious problem.
Floors Shouldn’t Bounce
On the subject of floors, your floors should not start bouncing as you walk across them. This can be a sign that you have rotted support beams and piers which fail to keep your floors supported. If your floors feel more like a trampoline, then you need to contact Foundation Support Specialists to get it fixed ASAP.
Common Causes of Foundation Wear and Tear
Now that you understand some of the most common signs of foundation problems, let’s discuss what can cause this type of damage. The most common causes of foundation wear and tear include but are not limited to:
Forgoing Proper Preparation
The soil upon which the foundation is built must be prepared the right way before any home gets built there. If the soil isn’t stabilized, unexpected movements beneath the foundation could cause the whole thing to collapse.
Look Out for Leaks
Excessively wet and rainy weather, plumbing leaks, and drainage leaks can all lead to home and cottage foundation repairs. The reason for this is that the excessive moisture can destabilize the soil beneath the foundation or else cause the support beams to rot and bend. So, make sure you stay on top of any leaks in the home to avoid serious foundation problems.
Transpiration and Evaporation Exacerbate Issues
By the same token, however, you should watch out for excessive drought and tree roots coming too close to the home. These things can dry out the soil, shrinking it and running the risk of foundational collapse. And, as you might expect, if the foundation falls, so does the rest of the home.
Poor Soil Conditions
Between unstable soil, roots, rot, and debris, your foundation can get in rough shape in a hurry. You will need helical or steel piers to help support your foundation, as these can resist the rot and decay caused by poor soil conditions. Lackluster piers can lead to bowing or collapsing floors, making them crucial.
How Much Foundation Repairs Cost
Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. How much can you expect your foundation repairs to cost overall? On average, around $4500 per foundation repair.
However, our foundation repair guide will break it down for you by the problem fixed and the type of repair that’s needed.
Costs By Problem Fixed
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First, let’s break down what you can expect to pay for your foundation repairs based on the problem being fixed. Naturally, the more involved the problem, the more expensive the fix. Here’s what you need to know:
- Foundation crack repairs can run between $250 and $800 per crack getting filled
- Foundation leak repairs are significantly more expensive, costing between $2500 and $5000
- If your foundation is sinking, you’ll need to replace the piers at around $1300 to $1500 per pier replaced
- If your basement wall starts bowing, you can expect to pay between $5000 and $15000 to fix it
Needless to say, it’s far better to repair or shore up your foundation before more serious problems occur.
Costs By Type of Underlying Repair
Now, let’s discuss what you can expect to pay for foundation repairs based on the type of underlying repair needed to fix the problem. Different foundation types and concerns will require different methods to fix them. Here’s what you can expect to pay a foundation repair service, based on the service needed:
- House leveling is by far the least expensive, costing between $600 and $1200
- Piering and underpinning is the next least expensive, costing between $1000 and $3000 per pier repaired and updated
- Sealing, necessary to prevent leaks, will cost between $2490 and $4260
- Stabilizing the soil is by far the most expensive prospect, costing between $5000 and $10000
If you need to straighten your windows or repair your walls as part of the process, don’t stress. Those elements are by far the least expensive. A window repair will cost about $75 a window while wall repair will run you about $27 per area touched up.
Let’s Review What We’ve Learned About Foundation Repairs
A house without a firm foundation is a recipe for collapse. That’s why it’s much better to invest in a better foundation when your home is built rather than rely on repairs to fix it for you later. Foundation repairs are among the most expensive fixes you can make to your home in the event of a disaster.
However, if your foundation shows signs of wear and tear, you don’t need to stress. There are plenty of foundation repair services available to fix your issues. And if you need more assistance learning about your home’s foundation, visit our blog today for more articles like this one.
