Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Oak Park
A home in Oak Park might experience foundation issues for numerous reasons. Some are unique to the local environment, while others are widespread nationwide. They include:
- Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can be a menace to your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your drainage system doesn't protect.
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plummet, topsoil abruptly ices over and lower layers can't expand, pushing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't performed to standard could result in your foundation settling.
- Aging plumbing: The average Oak Park home construction year is 1978. 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.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can intrude into a home's foundation through cracks, and may exert pressure that causes your foundation fracturing, pipes being damaged, and overall structural deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's foundation is crucial to its structural integrity, so it's important to work with a top-notch foundation repair company. Assess each company using the following factors:
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. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about how the company inspects foundations, what local codes apply to your project, and how its team will draft plans and pull permits.
Contractor websites are some of the best places to do your research. Usually, a company will show how long it's been in the industry. It might also share blog posts to help prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
We suggest examining 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. Negative feedback doesn'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 favorably and proactively. You should stay away from a company with numerous negative reviews, no certifications, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Oak Park
The cost of foundation repair can range widely depending on the scale of the issues and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation cracking and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is more significant deterioration, the average cost will likely fall around $3,800. More complex jobs involving tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $7,200 or more. Below are the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $431 |
Leak Repair | $3,591 |
Stabilization | $6,315 |
Underpinning | $1,645 |
Waterproofing | $3,980 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Oak Park
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Oak Park?
When would I need a foundation replacement, and when could I just get a repair?
What are the different types of foundations in Oak Park?
Do I need to leave my home for foundation repair work?
That said, foundation repair crews use heavy machinery, and you'll occasionally experience loud noises or tremors. If either of these will disturb you, you might prefer to leave and return when the crew is finished.
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)