Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By Todays Homeowner Local Pros
Last Updated May 2023
When there are problems with your home's foundation, you could be concerned on the one hand about the short-term cost of repairs and on the other about the long-term cost of putting them off. Homeowners in Fort Washington might wonder if they will be able to stay in their house while repairs are going on, and how long those repairs might take.
Our guide to Fort Washington's best foundation repair companies will alleviate your anxiety. They can address your questions and take care of your foundation repair project swiftly and competently.
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Punctual service
Helps educate customers
Transparent pricing
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Our Rating
User Rating
Punctual service
Helps educate customers
Free quotes
Transparent pricing
Good customer service
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Transparent pricing
Free quotes
Good customer service
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Transparent pricing
Free quotes
Good customer service
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Helps educate customers
Free quotes
Transparent pricing
Good customer service
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Punctual service
Helps educate customers
Free quotes
Transparent pricing
Good customer service
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Helps educate customers
Free quotes
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Helps educate customers
Free quotes
Award-winning
Transparent pricing
Good customer service
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Good customer service
Transparent pricing
Free quotes
Helps educate customers
Services Offered
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on foundation companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
If your foundation needs repairs, it may manifest in a number of ways. Outside your home, you might see a crumbling or cracking foundation or cracks in your driveway. Your ground floor might have floors that are cracked or uneven. You might notice windows and doors that are sticking in their frames, or that the frames are skewed. You could also notice cracking, buckling, or bowing walls.
The total cost of foundation repair will vary greatly depending on several factors. Things like the size of your home, the extent of the damage, and the type of repair needed will all play a part. On average, Fort Washington homeowners spend about $3,446. The easiest way to find out how much a job may cost is to talk to a local foundation repair expert and schedule a free inspection and estimate.
Click here for a more thorough breakdown of the cost of foundation repair in Maryland.
The primary types of foundation repair are crack repair, leak repair, underpinning, stabilization, and waterproofing.
Crack repair and leak repair are what they sound like: your foundation contractor will perform an inspection and take necessary measures to remedy cracks or leaks. Costs will vary based on the size and cause of the problem.
Underpinning, also called leveling or piering, is when a contractor levels your foundation by underpinning it with large concrete piers. The price will be based on how many piers are required. The price of stabilization is also variable. This process involves fixing bowing walls by reinforcing them with carbon fiber or steel strips. The cost will depend on the material chosen and how many strips are used.
Finally, waterproofing is an overarching term for a category of repairs that help prevent water from getting into your foundation or basement. This can involve exterior waterproofing, interior waterproofing, or both, and the price can vary widely. We recommend contacting a waterproofing specialist if you're interested in waterproofing your foundation.
To protect your foundation, you should make sure that it has the right amount of moisture. Avoid letting the soil around your Fort Washington house become too wet or too dry — make changes to your gutter system to route water away, or water your foundation if it starts to get too dry. Additionally, make sure that you promptly identify and repair any leaking pipes or gutters.
If you think there may be any problems with your foundation, you can call a structural engineer for an evaluation. This will run you a few hundred dollars, but the engineer's consultation can provide you with a list of things to look out for as well as more ideas to help you further protect your foundation. Finally, if you're constructing a new house, ensure a soil report is done. This report provides information regarding how well the soil on your property will be able to support a foundation and highlights any potential future problems.
Signs that you are in need of foundation waterproofing include uneven floors, hairline cracks, discoloration or odors, basement flooding, white powder or spots on your walls, or signs of fungus, mildew, or mold. Your contractor can tell you whether you need interior or exterior waterproofing.
Interior waterproofing can involve the installation of sump pumps and drains or the use of sealants and tends to be less costly than exterior waterproofing. Exterior waterproofing can involve applying physical barriers to basements and crawl spaces, installing exterior drains, or changing your landscaping.
In some cases, foundation repairs can be considered capital improvements if they meet the criteria of an improvement that will add to your house's overall market value, prolong its life, or adapt it to new uses. In some cases, making capital improvements allows you to qualify for tax breaks. (Contact your Maryland tax professional to learn more.) Tax breaks aside, foundation repairs will generally have a positive effect on your home's value.
It's smart to ask your foundation repair professional about this issue before you commit to any project. In most cases, yes, you'll be able to remain at home while foundation work is being done.
