Expert Foundation Repair Services In Bellevue, WA

Bellevue, Washington is an interesting and perse place that is often viewed as a neighboring city to Seattle even though it is a place all of its own. There are more than 140,000 people who call Bellevue home, and the population there is perse. Minority populations make up 41% of the population of Bellevue according to Census data, and there are more than 50 different languages spoken in the area. It is the kind of place that people want to be today, and it has been at the center of a housing boom that is truthfully taking place all throughout the country as we speak.

People are rushing to buy up homes in areas that are unique and appealing to them, and Bellevue qualifies as both of those things to a lot of people. Thus, the median housing price is soaring in the area. This has only led to even more people rushing in to try to buy before the prices get out of reach for them personally. Sadly, the rush to buy all of those homes have made some people abandon common sense and forget to do the basics such as get a home inspection to check on the quality of the foundation of the house that they are lusting over. This is a dangerous move considering how much foundation movement can play a role in Bellevue real estate.

Bellevue sees an average annual rainfall of just over 42 inches per year. This is an astounding number considering the national average is just 38 inches per year for the given US city. The problem here is not just an excess of gray skies and gloomy days but rather damages to foundations on homes as well. Water is just about the worst thing that one can have getting into their foundation. Bellevue gets pounded by rain more than average, and this equates to a higher probability that rain will cause foundation movement in the city. It is a troubling trend that leaves long-time and newer residents in the area worried that the condition of the foundation, of the place they call home, may not withstand those storms.

As in most cities, the expansive soil is a the biggest cause of foundation damage in Bellevue. The ground rapidly shrinks and expands with changes in moisture, leaving your foundation with an often uneven base that leads to cracking, shifting, and sinking.

Bellevue experiences above-average amounts of rainfall compared to most cities in America. It is also in an environment where that rain frequently turns over to snow as well. Thus, people can be hit with a double-whammy when the winter weather rolls in and disrupts the foundation of their home even more than it might otherwise.

Cracked concrete is a big issue troubling many foundations in Bellevue. The sheer force of the rain and snow hitting these foundations year after year is enough to open up massive cracks in the concrete foundations that do not just go away. In fact, those cracks worsen over time and cause bigger issues than what might otherwise be present.

Some homes in Bellevue lack a retaining wall to help buffer the foundation against all the elements mentioned and against soil getting into the foundation when it doesn’t belong there. This additional threat makes it more likely that a foundation in Bellevue, Washington could face significant damage.

Foundation damage is so serious the FEMA puts out regular reports with guidance on how to construct homes in the best ways possible regardless of the conditions present in the area where the home resides. The linked report talks about homes that are built in coastal areas, which is not the case for Bellevue, but the city does sit near a body of water, and many of the same ideas are applicable to homes in Bellevue.

Looking for possible signs of foundation damage is a smart way to spend a weekend afternoon. You never know what you are going to turn up, and knowing that there is possible foundation damage in your home before it becomes a larger issue is a good way to help combat it now instead of waiting. After all, the longer that the foundation is allowed to sit and rot away, the less chance you will have to save the remainder of the home from total destruction in the future.

Check out the basement of the home for starters. This is where you may come across moldy smells or odors that indicate that a potential issue with the foundation exists. You see, when water comes into the foundation it often presents itself through sitting water in your basement and other areas of your home. Addressing that concern right from the start can help you avoid more costly foundation repairs later.

Sagging floors are another area of concern to be on the lookout for. The fact remains that your floors should not sag in any area of your home at all. It is a truly troubling sign if you have floors that are not holding up firmly like they are supposed to. You see, a strong foundation would easily hold the floors firmly in place for you. A foundation that has been compromised by weather and other elements is just not up for the task. Thus, that foundation may present sagging floors, and that is not a situation you want to put yourself in.

If you notice nails popping out of the drywall of your home, it is time to investigate a little deeper. An occasional nail popping out may simply happen by chance, but if this becomes a regular thing, then it is time to check on the quality of the foundation of your home. There is probably something wrong, and you do not want to put yourself in a situation where you have to replace the entire foundation of your home because you allowed it to get more out of hand than it should have.

Of course, cracks in the concrete under your home are often a clear indication that there is an issues that requires our professional help.

If you are even considering avoiding hiring a structural engineer, please stop yourself and reconsider. Structural engineers like the ones we employ are exactly what you require at a time like this, and you need to know that they are there to help fix your foundation so that it will actually last and withstand the elements. These inpiduals are certified to do what they do, and they even have to obtain special permits from the city in order to conduct the work that needs to be done. An inpidual homeowner is unlikely to go through all of that trouble to make their repair, and that is why our structural engineers provide real value to homeowners.

Keep in mind that our structural engineer has received training to deal with all the common foundation repairs as well as the ones that are not as often seen. This means that they know just by looking at a situation what they are likely getting into. They are also going to have the tools necessary to make it happen. You can fully trust their abilities to solve the problem and make sure that it doesn’t come back in the near future.

People who opt to do a DIY repair are often sorely disappointed with the results. Not only are they unlikely to perform a foundation repair that is lasting and successful, but they run the very real risk of making the situation worse than it ever should have been in the first place. They could actually cost themselves more money than if they had just gone to our structural engineers in the first place. It is more costly both in dollars and time to try to do these repairs yourself. Do not attempt it.

There is no getting around the fact that a foundation repair is among the more expensive things that one might have to do on their home. This is the case because foundations are literally the core of one’s home, and it is not easy to access them and get things done. As such, expect to fork over a significant amount of money to repair the foundation of your home. That said, you can also expect that this could be a major money saver for you in the long run. A strong foundation on your home means that it can withstand damage it might otherwise have taken if the foundation was less than ideal.

Another upside of a strong foundation is that it can increase the sale price of your home when you are ready to move on to somewhere else. The state of Washington shows that the average cost of a home in the state continues to rise, so it can definitely be a good investment to own a home in Bellevue that has a strong foundation and is therefore appealing to a wider audience of people than it might otherwise be.

All of this said, you can expect to pay somewhere between $200 and $20,000 for your foundation repair in the vast majority of cases. The average cost in Bellevue is around $4,200. There are some exceptions to this range on both the low and high end, but understand that the money you put into the foundation repair today is meant to pay off in spades for you in the future.

The soil in this city absolutely affects the foundation of your home in many ways. The soil in Bellevue tends to remain pretty hard and firm from the below-average temperatures that the city sees most of the year. However, the rainy times of the year may cause the ground to swell and place undue pressure on your foundation, leading to cracks or instability. It can retain water, hold it against your porous concrete, and promote leaking as well. You should monitor soil conditions carefully to be sure that the area that you are purchasing a home in Bellevue is strong enough to provide a comfortable home for you to live in all year long. You can find soil reports available online from local government agencies.