Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Norristown
A few factors can contribute to foundation issues. Here are the most common ones for Norristown residents:
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can be a menace to your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your gutter system doesn't reach.
- Soil composition: Soil with large clay or sand concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Norristown experiences, the soil absorbs moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction presses against nearby foundations, even if the foundations stay dry.
- Aging plumbing: Norristown has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1966. Many of these properties use 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 completed to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
To pick a foundation repair company, you should determine what's most important to you. Use this guide to help you steer the process.
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. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about what local codes apply to your project, how the company inspects foundations, and how its team will draft plans and pull permits.
Another way to measure a company's credibility is to check its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade accreditations. It might also share knowledge and insights through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
Before signing a contract with a company, check its online profile with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can examine both positive reviews and complaints. Complaints aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. Instead, discover how a company responds to them. If the management team proactively and consistently resolves issues, it's a good sign. However, if the company lacks accreditation, shows more negative reviews than positive ones, and doesn't communicate effectively, you should avoid working with it.
Lastly, we recommend you search other platforms, like Trustpilot and Google, for more opinions.
Foundation Repair Cost in Norristown
The cost of foundation repair can differ significantly depending on the severity of the issues and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation fissures and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is considerable damage, the average cost will likely fall around $3,600. More complex jobs involving digging, helical piers, or concrete leveling could cost $7,100 or more. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $413 |
Leak Repair | $3,424 |
Stabilization | $6,005 |
Underpinning | $1,580 |
Waterproofing | $3,792 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Norristown
How much does foundation repair cost in Norristown?
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 avoid water accumulation.
- Irrigate the soil around your foundation consistently, especially during dry spells, to prevent expansion and shrinking.
- If possible, grade the soil around your home to slope away from your foundation, encouraging water drainage and reducing the risk of foundation issues.
- Keep an eye on your foundation for signs of damage, and fix any issues immediately.
What are some "red flags" indicating a foundation company to avoid?
Do I need to leave my home for foundation repair work?
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)