Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Chattanooga
A few factors can contribute to foundation issues. These are the most widespread ones for Chattanooga residents:
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't completed to standard could result in your foundation settling.
- Aging plumbing: The average Chattanooga home construction year is 1972. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leakage could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can threaten your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your gutter system doesn't protect.
- Soil composition: Soil with large clay or sand concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Chattanooga experiences, the soil soaks up moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction presses against nearby foundations, even if the foundations keep dry.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through crevices, and may exert pressure that results in your foundation breaking, pipes leaking, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Choosing a foundation provider doesn't have to be challenging. We encourage you to write down what you expect most in a company, then evaluate each company on your list against these qualities.
Licensing and Experience
In Tennessee, foundation work has its own residential building contractor license classification. Any company that performs foundation work valued at over $25,000 must have a license, no matter whether it is a primary contractor or subcontractor. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about what local codes apply to your project, how the company inspects foundations, and how its team will draft plans and pull permits.
Another way to measure a company's standing is to look at its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade accreditations. It might also share insights and knowledge through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
When you're researching a company's credibility, check out its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. There, you can find its rating and a list of customer reviews, both positive experiences and complaints. Complaints don't mean a contractor is bad news. BBB reviews show how the company addressed complaints. It's a positive sign if the company has settled issues favorably and proactively. You should stay away from a company with many negative reviews, no accreditation, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Chattanooga
The cost of foundation repair can vary substantially based on the extent of the problems and what must be done to fix them. For minor foundation fissuring and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable damage, the average cost will be around $2,700. More complex jobs involving digging, helical piers, or major concrete leveling could run you $6,800. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $321 |
Leak Repair | $2,532 |
Stabilization | $4,352 |
Underpinning | $1,232 |
Waterproofing | $2,792 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Chattanooga
How much does foundation repair cost in Chattanooga?
Can a foundation always be fixed?
What's the time to complete a typical foundation repair job?
Is foundation repair covered under my homeowners insurance?
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)