Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Manheim
A few typical reasons why Manheim homeowners experience foundation issues include:
- Aging plumbing: The average Manheim home construction year is 1972. 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: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't done properly could lead to your foundation settling.
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can harm your foundation's integrity, especially when it gathers in areas your gutters don't reach.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through crevices, and may create stress that causes your foundation breaking, pipes leaking, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's foundation is crucial to its stability, so it's important to work with a top-notch foundation repair contractor. Evaluate each provider using the following criteria:
Licensing and Experience
According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General, foundation contractors must register with the commonwealth if they make between $5,000 and $50 million in annual revenue. Registration doesn't involve exams, but it does show a contractor meets bond, insurance, and background check requirements. Talk to team members to gain more insight into a company's experience. You should ask about local inspection processes, permit ordinances and building codes.
Contractor websites are some of the best places to do your research. Usually, a company will discuss how long it's been operating. It might also upload blog posts to help potential clients.
Customer Reviews
When you're researching a company's reputation, head to its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. There, you can find its "letter grade" rating and a list of customer reviews, both complaints and positive experiences. Negative feedback doesn't mean a contractor is bad news. BBB reviews show how the company dealt with complaints. It's a good sign if the company has settled issues proactively and favorably. You should steer clear of a company with many negative reviews, no credentials, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Manheim
The price of foundation repair can vary substantially depending on the degree of the issues and what's necessary to resolve them. For minor foundation cracking and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is significant damage, the normal cost lands at about $3,200. More complex projects involving excavating, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $7,000. Below are the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $378 |
Leak Repair | $3,085 |
Stabilization | $5,376 |
Underpinning | $1,448 |
Waterproofing | $3,412 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Manheim
How much does foundation repair cost in Manheim?
When do I need to waterproof my foundation?
Note that there are two kinds of waterproofing. Interior waterproofing involves installing sump pumps and drains or using sealants around a basement. Outdoor waterproofing is typically less expensive. It involves installing exterior drains and forming physical barriers between your foundation and yard.
Will my homeowners insurance cover foundation repair?
What preventive measures can I take to avoid foundation issues?
- Make sure your home's gutters and downspouts are properly installed and direct water away from your foundation to prevent water accumulation.
- Water the soil around your foundation consistently, especially during dry spells, to prevent expansion and shrinking.
- If possible, grade the soil around your home to angle away from your foundation, encouraging water drainage and reducing the risk of foundation issues.
- Keep an eye on your foundation for cracks, and repair any issues promptly.
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)