Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Elmhurst
A home in Elmhurst might experience foundation issues for numerous reasons. Some are specific to the local environment, while others are widespread nationwide. They include:
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't done properly could result in your foundation settling.
- Aging plumbing: Elmhurst has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1960. Many of these properties use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can be menacing to your foundation's integrity, especially when it gathers in areas your drainage system doesn't protect.
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plunge, topsoil freezes rapidly and lower layers can't expand, pushing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through cracks, and may apply force that results in your foundation fracturing, pipes being damaged, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
To select a foundation repair contractor, you should think about what's most important to you. Use this guide to help you navigate the process.
Licensing and Experience
Illinois doesn't issue contractor licenses at the state level, but larger cities in the Land of Lincoln will usually have their own licensing requirements and exams. We recommend contacting your local government office for more information before you begin your company search. Talk to staff to gain additional insight into a company's experience. You should ask about local permit ordinances, inspection processes and building codes.
Contractor websites are some of the best places to do your research. Typically, a company will display how long it's been operating. It might also upload articles to assist prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
We advise reviewing the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to find out whether it's accredited and has a positive customer review score. You can check whether other homeowners have expressed 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 handles 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 well, you should avoid working with it.
Finally, we suggest you search other platforms, like Trustpilot and Google, for other reviews.
Foundation Repair Cost in Elmhurst
The price of foundation repair can differ quite significantly depending on the degree of the issues and what's needed to resolve them. For minor foundation fissures and settling problems, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is significant deterioration, the average cost lands at about $3,000. More involved projects involving excavating, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $6,900. Below are the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $357 |
Leak Repair | $2,881 |
Stabilization | $4,999 |
Underpinning | $1,368 |
Waterproofing | $3,184 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Elmhurst
How much does foundation repair cost in Elmhurst?
Can a foundation always be fixed?
What's the most popular foundation type in Elmhurst?
What's the time to complete a typical foundation repair job?
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)