Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Mobile
A home in Mobile might experience foundation issues for numerous reasons. Some are specific to the local environment, while others are prevalent nationwide. They include:
- Aging plumbing: The average Mobile home construction year is 1973. 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.
- Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Mobile receives, the soil absorbs moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction puts pressure on nearby foundations, even if the foundations keep dry.
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't performed properly could result in your foundation settling.
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can be menacing to your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your gutter system doesn't protect.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through cracks, and may apply force that causes your foundation fracturing, pipes rupturing, and overall structural deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's foundation is essential to its structural integrity, so it's important to work with a reliable foundation repair provider. Evaluate each firm using the following criteria:
Licensing and Experience
In Alabama, foundation companies must be licensed prime contractors or subcontractors with a Building Construction classification. The state also recognizes credentials issued in Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee, but a company must still register with the Licensing Board for General Contractors to do work in the Yellowhammer State. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through the information its team gives you. Inquire about its inspection processes, local codes, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.
Contractor websites are some of the best places to do your research. Typically, a business will show how long it's been in the industry. It might also publish blog posts to help potential clients.
Customer Reviews
Before choosing a company, examine its online profile with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can examine both complaints and positive reviews. Complaints don't mean a contractor is bad news. BBB reviews show how the company dealt with complaints. It's a positive sign if the company has resolved issues proactively and appropriately. You should avoid a company with more negative reviews, no credentials, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Mobile
The price of foundation repair can vary substantially depending on the extent of the issues and what's required to resolve them. For minor foundation fracturing and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is significant deterioration, the average cost is about $3,000. More complex projects involving tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $6,900. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $355 |
Leak Repair | $2,859 |
Stabilization | $4,959 |
Underpinning | $1,360 |
Waterproofing | $3,159 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Mobile
How much does foundation repair cost in Mobile?
Do Mobile foundation repair companies offer warranties or guarantees?
What preventive measures can I take to avoid foundation issues?
- Make sure your home's gutters and downspouts are in good condition and direct water away from your foundation to avoid water accumulation.
- Water the soil around your foundation consistently, especially during dry spells, to prevent shrinking and expansion.
- If possible, grade the soil around your home to slope away from your foundation, promoting water drainage and minimizing the risk of foundation issues.
- Keep an eye on your foundation for signs of damage, and repair any issues immediately.
Will foundation repair disrupt my daily routine while the work's being done?
That said, foundation repair crews operate industrial machinery, and you'll occasionally experience loud noises or vibrations. If either of these will disturb you, you might prefer to leave and return when the crew is finished.
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)