Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Houston
A home in Houston might experience foundation issues for numerous reasons. Some are unique to the local environment, while others are common nationwide. They include:
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can be a menace to your foundation's integrity, especially when it gathers in areas your gutter system doesn't cover.
- Aging plumbing: While many Houston homes are fairly new, some still 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 Houston receives, the soil soaks up moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction stresses nearby foundations, even if the foundations stay dry.
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't done properly could result in your foundation settling.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can intrude into a home's foundation through cracks, and may create stress that leads to your foundation fracturing, pipes rupturing, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
To pick a foundation repair business, you should consider what's most important to you. Use this guide to help you go through the process.
Licensing and Experience
In Texas, local governments can choose to require contractor's licenses. Even some major cities do not require licensure to alter or repair foundations. We recommend contacting your local officials to learn more about contractor and building standards. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about how its team will draft plans and pull permits, how the company inspects foundations, and what local codes apply to your project.
One of the simplest ways to assess a company's reputation is to go to its website. Look for the company's history and the accreditations its team holds. Many top companies provide educational content for potential customers.
Customer Reviews
We suggest looking into the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to find out whether it's accredited and has a positive customer review score. You can see whether other homeowners have expressed satisfaction or filed complaints. Pay special attention to what customers say about company warranties. Complaints aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. You want to discover how a company handles 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 well, you should think twice about working with it.
Finally, we encourage you to search additional sites, like Trustpilot and Google, for additional feedback.
Foundation Repair Cost in Houston
The cost of foundation repair can vary quite a bit depending on the scale of the issues and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation cracking and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable deterioration, the average cost will likely fall around $3,100. More complex jobs involving digging, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $6,900 or more. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $363 |
Leak Repair | $2,941 |
Stabilization | $5,110 |
Underpinning | $1,392 |
Waterproofing | $3,251 |
Ready to Get a Quote on Your Foundation Repair Project?
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Houston
How much does foundation repair cost in Houston?
When would I need a foundation replacement, and when could I just get a repair?
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 evenly, especially during dry spells, to prevent expansion and shrinking.
- If possible, grade the soil around your home to angle away from your foundation, promoting water drainage and minimizing the risk of foundation issues.
- Check your foundation for signs of damage, and address any issues immediately.
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)