Tips for Home Foundation Protection to Avoid Watery Woes

By:    |   Published March 26, 2019
A home with trees and shrubs near it, necessitating home foundation protection

A foundation, by definition, is the basis or groundwork of anything. Whether it’s a skyscraper or math skills, if you don’t have a solid foundation, the rest will eventually crumble. Nothing, including your home, will last for long with a shoddy or damaged foundation. Additionally, even well-designed foundations are at risk if not cared for.  Your home is only as sound as your foundation, so house foundation protection is one of the best investments you can possibly make. Here are some tips on protecting your home’s foundation.

Regular Inspections Save Foundations

The fact that your home’s foundation is in the ground almost guarantees some kind of issue during the life of your home. All foundations suffer to some extent. They are under constant assault from the natural pressure and moisture in the ground. Eventually, even foundations which were meticulously built to perfection will experience some type of issue.

Catching issues when they’re small is essential in house foundation protection. It’s the only way to prevent small issues from becoming big issues, which can end up costing you thousands of dollars. The only way to catch issues when they are small is through regular inspections.  You can easily do your own quick inspections for common issues.  The most common issues to look for are cracks in the foundation or evidence of mold.

While these self-inspections can catch many small issues that commonly occur, it is a good idea to reach out to professionals for inspections. They can make recommendations for home foundation protection that can prevent future problems and keep your home safe from foundational issues for years to come.

Good Drainage Keeps Moisture Away

No matter what type of soil your foundation is built in, there is one fact that is true. Water is inevitable. But that doesn’t mean that water damage is.  A properly designed drainage system which diverts water away from your home is one of the most important parts of a waterproofing system and a major factor in house foundation protection. Making sure that you are directing water away from your foundation helps mitigate one of the biggest risks to it and to your entire home.

Watch Out for Grading Issues

A commonly overlooked issue in house foundation protection is grading. The slope of the land does not have to be drastic to be effective – in either direction.  If the land slopes directly towards your home, even slightly, your foundation will always be at risk from rain and snowmelt. You want to be sure that the grading around your home is effective in your favor! In addition to drainage systems that may be in place, inspect your home’s grading and be sure that the land slopes away from your home.

If you find areas where the land slopes toward your foundation, adding soil to build up the area and prevent water being directed toward your foundation can be one way to prevent future foundational issues. While clay-based soil typically directs water away faster than sand-based soil, when re-grading your foundation, the type of soil you add should be relatively close to the existing soil you have.

Keep Trees at a Safe Distance

It may not surprise you that tree roots are another potential risk to your foundation. However, what you may not know is that the biggest risk tree roots cause to your house foundation is soil shrinkage. Moisture is typically a risk and because of this, we commonly think of water in terms of damaging our foundations. But large trees have enormous root systems which draw moisture out of the soil.

When the soil around your foundation gets too dry, it shrinks. This soil shrinkage can cause gaps between the soil and your foundation and interfere with the stability of your home and foundation. Keeping trees at a safe distance is the best house foundation protection against soil shrinkage.

Gutters Are Your First Line of Defense

While soil shrinkage can be a problem, too much moisture creates risks for your foundation as well. Rainy days can send a lot of moisture to the soil around your home in a short period of time.  Pooling or standing water can cause damage to your foundation. The best way to reduce risk of water damage is with a properly functioning drainage system. Gutters and downspouts are designed to help drive most of that water away from the foundation. However, gutters that are clogged or downspouts that are rusted or full of holes are not going to do the job for which they were designed. Regular inspection and maintenance of your gutter system is another factor in house foundation protection.

Home Waterproofing is the Best Protection

When it comes to house foundation protection, a full-home waterproofing system is the best way to ensure the protection of your home’s foundation.  Full-home waterproofing can include things like exterior membranes, water diversion systems, and more which prevent the most likely sources of foundation damage.

Professional waterproofing installations can keep your home safe for years. Additionally, home waterproofing, like other home maintenance, can potentially increase resale value making it an investment in the present and the future of your home and home value.

Just like flash cards improve the foundational skills on which all other math functions are built; inspections, drainage and waterproofing improve the protection of your foundation on which your home is built. Invest in your foundation. It’s the basis or groundwork of your home and one of the best investments you can make.

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The best way to keep your basement dry is with professional waterproofing. EverDry Toledo can help with a FREE 20-point basement inspection! We’ll help you find out if your home is at risk for water damage and which solutions will best serve you.

Contact us online to schedule an appointment or give us a call at (419) 469-5833 and schedule your inspection today!

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