Protecting the structural integrity of your home’s foundation is vital to the lifespan of your house. If you don’t take the necessary steps to protect your home’s foundation, you could end up paying thousands to repair the damage caused by your neglect.
Be a responsible homeowner, and educate yourself on what it takes to maintain a solid foundation. Here is a little information on how you can take steps to protect your home’s foundation from damage.
Maintain your gutters and downspouts
Your gutters and downspouts are a crucial part of your home’s defenses against water damage. You should work to keep leaves and other buildup out of your gutters, and regularly make sure your downspouts are clear too.
Your home’s downspouts should carry rainwater at least five feet away from the base of your home to adequately protect from pooling water damage. Also, don’t use plastic splash blocks at the end of your downspouts. They aren’t weighty enough to survive a strong wind.
Consider grading your land
If you’re having trouble getting the water to drain away from your home’s foundation, consider grading the land around the property. When the ground slopes away from your home, the rain will too.
Be sure to consider protecting against unnecessary land erosion while you’re setting your landscape up for proper drainage. Take the time to walk the perimeter of your property after a heavy rain to see if there are any pools of water sticking around.
Pay attention to cracks
You should check your foundation for cracks from time to time. If you find a crack, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your home is doomed. You should, however, always get a cracked foundation serviced as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
Pay attention to where trees are planted
Trees are a great addition to your home’s landscaping, but it’s important to place them strategically. Planting trees too close to your home’s foundation can cause big trouble over time.
Don’t plant a weeping willow tree close to your home, as the roots will make their way to any water source they can find (including your home’s underground plumbing). Plant trees with shading in mind, but never forget what’s under the surface.
Maintain moisture levels around your foundation
While you don’t want water pooling around your home’s foundation, you do want the soil to remain moist. If the soil around your home is too dry it will shrink, causing issues with your foundation.
In dry climates, it’s wise to install sprinklers to keep the soil moist all year round. You could also choose to add mulching to hold moisture beneath the surface of the ground around your home.
