Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Petaluma
Foundation issues have a few possible causes. Here are the most frequent ones for Petaluma residents:
- Drought conditions: Petaluma is vulnerable to drought. The lack of rainfall and changing humidity levels each season contribute to ever-shifting soil. The resulting soil settlement can displace and crack your foundation.
- Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can threaten your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your gutter system doesn't reach.
- Aging plumbing: The average Petaluma home construction year is 1976. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't completed to standard could result in your foundation settling.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through cracks, and may create stress that causes your foundation breaking, pipes rupturing, and overall structural deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
To choose a foundation repair business, you should consider what's most important to you. Use this list of factors to help you navigate the process.
Licensing and Experience
The Golden State issues many different kinds of contracting licenses, and foundation companies often have more than one. You can verify a company's licensing information through the Contractors State License Board, a division of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Look for a company with a General Building Contractor, General Engineering Contractor, C-8 Concrete, or C-61 Pile Driving credential. Talk to representatives to gain additional insight into a company's experience. You should ask about local building codes, permit ordinances and inspection processes.
Contractor websites are among the best places to do your research. Typically, a foundation company will discuss how long it's been operating. It might also share other content to help potential clients.
Customer Reviews
We recommend checking the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to find out whether it's accredited and has a positive customer review score. You can see whether other homeowners have shared satisfaction or filed complaints. Pay special attention to what customers say about company warranties. Complaints aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. Instead, discover how a company responds to 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 avoid working with it.
Finally, we recommend you search different websites, like Trustpilot and Google, for additional feedback.
Foundation Repair Cost in Petaluma
The price of foundation repair can vary substantially depending on the severity of the issues and what must be fixed. For minor foundation fracturing and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is significant damage, the typical cost is about $3,400. More complex projects requiring digging, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $7,000+. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $390 |
Leak Repair | $3,196 |
Stabilization | $5,583 |
Underpinning | $1,491 |
Waterproofing | $3,537 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Petaluma
How much does foundation repair cost in Petaluma?
What's the time to complete a typical foundation repair job?
Do Petaluma foundation repair companies offer warranties or guarantees?
What are some "red flags" indicating a foundation company to avoid?
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)