Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Knoxville
A few factors can contribute to foundation issues. Here are the most common ones for Knoxville residents:
- Aging plumbing: Knoxville has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1951. Many of these properties use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leakage could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Soil composition: Soil with large clay or sand concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Knoxville experiences, the soil absorbs moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction stresses nearby foundations, even if the foundations keep dry.
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can threaten your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your gutters don't cover.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through cracks, and may create stress that causes your foundation fracturing, pipes leaking, and overall structural deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
To pick a foundation repair company, you should consider what's most important to you. Use this guide to help you steer the process.
Licensing and Experience
In Tennessee, foundation work has its own residential building contractor license classification. Any company that performs foundation work valued at over $25,000 must have a license, no matter whether it is a primary contractor or subcontractor. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through what its representatives say. Ask about its inspection processes, local code requirements, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.
One of the most effective ways to assess a company's reputation is to explore its website. Look for the company's years in business and the qualifications its team holds. Many top companies publish educational content for prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
We recommend looking into the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to find out whether it's accredited and has a high customer review score. You can see whether other homeowners have reported 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 manages them. If the management team consistently and proactively 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.
Finally, we suggest you search different websites, such as Trustpilot and Google, for more opinions.
Foundation Repair Cost in Knoxville
The cost of foundation repair can range quite widely based on the scale of the problems and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation fissuring and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is significant damage, the typical cost will be around $2,900. More complex jobs involving digging, helical piers, or extensive concrete leveling could run you $6,900. Below are the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $342 |
Leak Repair | $2,736 |
Stabilization | $4,729 |
Underpinning | $1,311 |
Waterproofing | $3,020 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Knoxville
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Knoxville?
Can a foundation always be fixed?
What's the most popular foundation type in Knoxville?
What preventive measures can I take to avoid foundation issues?
- Make sure your home's gutters and downspouts are in good condition and direct water away from your foundation to prevent water accumulation.
- Irrigate the soil around your foundation evenly, especially during dry spells, to prevent shrinking and expansion.
- If possible, grade the soil around your home to slope away from your foundation, promoting water drainage and reducing the risk of foundation issues.
- Check your foundation for signs of damage, and address any issues immediately.
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)