Foundation repair can be very expensive. In the United States, the average cost of a foundation repair is about $4,430. For some homeowners, that price tag for their foundation repair can be as high as $10,000.
If you are concerned about the state of your home’s foundation, contractors say there are a few things you can look for:
- Cracks in your walls, especially when they are over windows, doors or around the point where the ceiling meets the top of your walls.
- Your doors may stop latching or start to jam up.
- Open cracks in your ceramic tile, vinyl or other covering that you have over a concrete floor.
- Your windows that were easy to open and close start to stick or you can no longer close them all the way.
- Ways You Can Protect Your Foundation:Inspect your foundation and home regularly. You should take a look at your foundation at least once a season. The more you do this, the easier it will be to spot potential problems and catch small issues before they become large problems that are harder to fix. Look for any bug infestations or small cracks. If you find even hairline cracks in your foundation. When cracks get to be bigger than 1/4 of an inch wide, contractors should be brought in to fix them. If they are smaller, you can get some epoxy putty and do it yourself. If you find any evidence that your home is settling or sinking, you bring in someone to do an official inspection to be safe.
- Make sure your plumbing is inspected at least once a year. This is a very important thing you can do to protect the foundation of your home. Leaks in plumbing can wreak havoc on your foundation. When plumbing leaks let water settle under your foundation it can cause a lot of damage. These often are caused by sewer leaks. Have experienced plumbing contractors conduct an inspection if you suspect any leaks. This can also save you a lot of money as leaky plumbing wastes a lot of water.
- The moisture level around your home needs to stay at a consistent level. You need to make sure the soil around your home is never too wet or too dry. For most regions of the country, this takes some work as there are wet and dry weather periods. Homeowners can prevent damage to their foundations by implementing a good water control program. You can talk to your local foundation repair contractors to get an idea of the best way to do that if you are unsure about it.
- Consider a root barrier. Trees are great additions to any home. Experts say that just looking at trees can lower a person’s stress level and they increase the value of a home. The problem is that their roots can cause a lot of damage to your sewer system and foundation. If you do not have trees in your yard, make sure you plant any at least a few feet away from your home. If there are already trees on your property, you can have a root barrier installed. These are typically made of plastic, metal or something else and are installed to the depth of three feet. These will prevent the tree roots from interfering with your home’s foundation.
- A good drainage system can protect your foundation. If too much water gets into the soil around your home, it can cause your foundation to rise up to a level that is above its intended position. This is one reason contractors recommend the slope of your property around your home force rain water to be directed away from your foundation. You need the water to be discharged at least five to ten inches from the foundation. Keep your gutters are kept in good condition and free from debris. If you notice water pooling around your foundation, you can have a surface drain put in.
Foundation repair is something that most homeowners would like to avoid needing, if at all possible. If you follow these tips, you can keep the foundation of your home in great shape and prevent any real problems that would require you to bring in expensive foundation repair contractors.