Foundation repairs are expensive. This is something that is relatively commonly known, but it is not as well known why foundation repairs are so expensive in the first place. There is a lot that goes into estimating the cost of a foundation repair and depending on the different reasons behind the repair, it may impact how much the total cost will be. Different repairs have different costs! However, there are some silver linings to foundation repair, just like with any difficult repair in the home. In this explanation of repair costs, we are going to outline why foundation repairs can be costly, but also why that can be a good thing.
Different Repair Costs
There are a lot of different factors that increase the cost of foundation repairs, such as how many piers you will end up needing. Nationally, the average foundation repair cost is around $4,511. The smaller jobs, such as fixing cracks, will be a quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive repair. Fixing a foundation leak or foundation sinking is slightly harder, and where most of the cost comes in.
Crack Repair
Crack repairs are quite simple! These cracks are generally fixed with flexible epoxy injections. The average cost of this repair is $620 per 10-foot crack. Injection ports are drilled every 4 to 8 inches in the wall along the crack. A 10-foot crack requires about 29 injection ports, which is where the $620 comes in. This is, generally, just a cosmetic fix. If cracks are appearing in the wall, it is important to know why and address that issue. While cleaning up the crack may be a solution, for now, it may not be a permanent solution and further investigation should be done to find what is actually causing the problem.
Leak Repair
Flooding is, to put it simply, not great! Flooding weakens the foundation and walls, and constant water pressure can create cracks in the surface of the walls. While there are steps that can be taken to prevent flooding from happening, if the damage occurs, it will cost somewhere between $2,500 and $5,000 on average.
Foundation leaks have to be sealed off and waterproofed. This is usually done by sealing small gaps and cracks with concrete-patching compounds. Larger gaps and cracks are filled with hydraulic cement. As with crack repairs, if there are larger cracks there may be another issue that needs addressing. Any cracks that are larger than a pencil should be thoroughly inspected to determine how structurally sound the home is. This may also entail an investigation into the well-being of the soil around the foundation. Soil that becomes too saturated can become a risk to the entire structural validity of the home.
Leak repairs can also happen in conjunction with crawl space foundation repairs. When standing water causes rotting, mold, mildew, and impacts the floor joists, it is important to address these concerns before they become any worse. This kind of repair can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $15,000 depending on the extent of the damage. However, not only is a weakened floor stability a large concern, so is the possibility of having black mold growing underneath the home!
Sinking Repair
Sinking foundation repairs are often the most expensive. This depends on a variety of different factors, however. The first dependency for sinking repair cost is how many piers are needed in order to address the issue.
Piers are what lift the house and put it back into its place. The second part of a sinking foundation repair is the structural report. Having a full report done by an engineer is what will determine how many piers are needed, but this can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,500.
If a soil report is also needed, that could add on an extra $500 to $3,000. Another piece that determines the cost of a foundation repair is how close the home is to the ground. In areas where the home is directly on the ground, it could require tunneling, which will be an additional cost required in order to get access to the foundation to repair it. If there is a crawl space, however, the cost of tunneling can be ignored and the foundation repair can continue without any issues or extra work.
When tasked with spending thousands of dollars on a home repair, anyone can understandably be feeling the pressure. However, each foundation repair is different, and at the end of the day, it mostly depends on how many piers are needed. Some may need more, and others may need less!
There are silver linings for foundation repair. It is important to remember that foundation repairs will increase the longevity of the home and that with Allied’s lifetime warranties and guarantees, any extra work will be taken care of. This warranty even transfers to the next homeowner, should there be one. Allied does also offer 100% financing available on any large jobs to guarantee peace of mind when it comes to such a large repair.
For more information, or to reach out for information on a free estimate, visit the Allied website today.
