Homes are only as strong as their foundations. The best way to keep a house ready to support you is by proactively protecting this part of its structure. Although several issues can cause foundations to become weak or crack, water damage is one of the most common problems homeowners face today. The following tips can help you protect this resource – and your equity.
Have a Visible Foundation
Although an exposed foundation isn’t always attractive, you still want to see a gap between the exterior and the ground. There should be at least six inches visible for cement or brick and eight inches for wood. If organic materials are too high, it’s much easier for moisture to penetrate.
Remove Foliage from Around the Foundation
Flowers, vines, shrubs, and trees can mask the appearance of foundation problems. Roots, stems, and leaves can prevent enough airflow from happening around the home. Try to leave at least 12 inches of space between your exterior and any plants to keep your house and gardens healthy.
Clean Your Gutters
Precipitation needs to be sent away from your home’s foundation. When they get clogged, the rainfall can spill over the side, landing too close to the structure. If water pools around your home, moisture can start seeping through the material, weakening it. Most homeowners should clean their gutters at least twice per year.
Downspout length is another issue with your home’s precipitation management. The water should be moved at least ten feet away from your foundation.
Landscape Slope Corrections
Your landscaping should always slope away from your foundation to prevent water from pooling in the area. Since the ground can shift as time passes, it helps to check for sunken spots each summer. If you don’t have this option, consider installing a French drain to capture excessive moisture.
Prevent Material Shrinkage
Extended time without rain causes the ground around a home’s foundation to dry out and contract. If you receive a sudden storm with lots of rain, the soil rapidly expands and puts pressure on the structure. This issue can lead to cracks. If it has been a dry year, consider watering the soil around the perimeter to maintain an appropriate ground density.
Use a Sump Pump
If you have a basement, it helps to have a sump pump installed to manage extra water. Even when you do everything right, the groundwater table can still surge and create problems around your foundation. This tool helps to remove standing water right away to prevent damage.
Respond Quickly to Flooding
A flooding incident can happen when a pipe breaks, the bathtub overflows, or someone forgets to shut off the hose. Some pumps can’t handle excessive levels of unwanted water. It often helps to hire a professional contractor with experience dealing with these problems in those situations. They can perform water damage restoration work to limit damage risks to your home’s foundation.
Protecting your foundation should be a top priority. When you take these steps, you’ll find it is much easier to safeguard the investment you’ve made into your home. For evaluations or any further questions, you can also dial 206-458-5237 or contact us right here.
