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Foundation Repair questions, answered by experts

The average home foundation lasts between 80 and 100 years, but some can last much longer with proper maintenance and routine inspections. The lifespan depends on the foundation type, soil conditions, climate, and construction quality. Poured concrete walls can last up to 200 years, brick or stone foundations over 100 years, cement block foundations 80 to 100 years, and pier foundations about 75 years. Factors that can shorten a foundation's life include expansive clay soil, poor weather conditions, low-quality building materials, improper construction, and tree roots. Signs of damage include sloping floors, bowing walls, cracks, and doors or windows that stick.

A leak under your foundation from a water supply line or sewage line is likely to lead to water pooling on certain areas of your property during rainfall, abnormally fast-growing or green grass in certain sections of your lawn, and differential settlement of your foundation, which can result in large foundation cracks, windows and doors failing to operate properly, a wavy or sloping roofline, or damages or irregularities in your interior walls, including cracks and bulging. If it’s a plumbing line embedded in your slab, you’ll also likely notice above-average water bills.

Signs of structural damage include foundation cracks, roof leaks, bouncy floors, crumbling concrete, and cracked or leaning chimneys. Structural damage can make itself apparent in various ways, and sometimes, there may not be obvious signs. Inspect your foundation and roof annually to stay ahead of potentially serious structural problems. 

Although some concrete cracks are cosmetic, others can be more serious. Cracks wider than ⅛ inch or that extend through the slab are serious and can cause structural damage. If you notice these types of cracks in your concrete patio, contact a local contractor who installs concrete patios to inspect the damage and determine how to fix it.

Foundation repair can affect home value positively or negatively. If you address the underlying issue and hire a foundation repair contractor to complete the work—especially one that includes a warranty for the work—then your repair will likely increase your home’s value. If you fail to pull proper permits and cannot prove that a licensed expert completed the work, there’s a chance buyers will view your home in a negative light and end up offering less for your property.

The Ishpeming, MI homeowners’ guide to foundation repairs

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.