Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Upper Darby
A few factors can contribute to foundation issues. These are the most widespread ones for Upper Darby residents:
- Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Upper Darby gets, the soil soaks up moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction presses against nearby foundations, even if the foundations keep dry.
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can harm your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your gutter system doesn't cover.
- Aging plumbing: Upper Darby has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1949. Many of these properties use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leakage could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through crevices, and may create stress that leads to your foundation breaking, pipes being damaged, and overall structural weakening.
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 criteria 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. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through the information its team gives you. Inquire about its inspection methods, local codes, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.
One of the easiest ways to assess a company's reputation is to explore its website. Look for the company's history and what credentials its team holds. Many well-known companies provide educational content for prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
Before choosing a company, check its online profile with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can examine both complaints and positive reviews. Negative feedback doesn't mean a contractor is bad news. BBB reviews show how the company handled complaints. It's a positive sign if the company has resolved issues proactively and appropriately. You should steer clear of a company with many negative reviews, no accreditation, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Upper Darby
The price of foundation repair can range widely depending on the degree of the issues and what's necessary 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 typical cost lands at about $3,100. More intricate 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 | $360 |
Leak Repair | $2,913 |
Stabilization | $5,058 |
Underpinning | $1,381 |
Waterproofing | $3,220 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Upper Darby
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Upper Darby?
Can a foundation always be fixed?
What are some signs I need foundation waterproofing?
- Hairline cracks
- Mold and mildew
- Uneven floors
- Flooding
- Discoloration or odors
- Plumbing leaks
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)