How to Safeguard Your Home’s Foundation: Tips and Tricks

Your home’s foundation is one of the most important aspects of your property. It is responsible for supporting the weight of your home and keeping it stable. If your foundation is weak or damaged, it can cause many expensive problems down the road. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips and tricks to safeguard your home’s foundation. Follow these tips to help keep your home safe and sound!

Regularly inspect your home for trouble: While foundation problems can cause a lot of trouble when left alone, they begin with small things. Things like bowed walls, cracks or gaps, and stuck doors and windows are among the most common symptoms of foundation problems. When dealing with foundation problems, it’s important to understand the gravity of the situation and consult a foundation professional for a foundation audit.

Don’t allow water to pool: Water is one of the most common causes of foundation problems. When water pools around your home, it can seep into small cracks and crevices in your foundation. This can cause the soil to expand and contract, which puts a lot of pressure on your foundation. To avoid this, make sure that you have proper drainage around your home. This includes gutters, downspouts, and French drains.

Disperse excessive weight: Another common cause of foundation problems is too much weight being placed on one foundation area. This can be caused by things like large trees or even an addition to your home. If you are putting any extra weight on your foundation, be sure to have it inspected by a professional first.

Inspect and clean your gutters and downspouts regularly: As we mentioned before, water is one of the biggest enemies of your home’s foundation. One way to help combat this is by regularly cleaning your gutters and downspouts. When cleaning your gutters, pay special attention to where they meet your foundation. This is where a lot of water damage can occur.

Be mindful of landscaping: Landscaping can be both a help and a hindrance when it comes to your foundation. Properly placed trees and shrubs can help to protect your foundation from water damage. However, if they are too close to your home, their roots can cause problems. Be sure to plant them at least three feet away from your foundation.

Landscaping can be both a help and a hindrance when it comes to your foundation. Properly placed trees and shrubs can help to protect your foundation from water damage. However, if they are too close to your home, their roots can cause problems. To ensure that your trees don’t cause any damage to your foundation, it’s important to hire an experienced tree service. If you’re looking for tips on how to choose the right service, read more here to find helpful resources and recommendations.

Don’t plant too close to your house: A point that pretty much goes hand in hand with landscaping is not to plant too close to your home. Not only can this lead to damage to roots, but it can also attract termites and other pests. Be sure to give your foundation some breathing room. If you have planted close to your foundation, consider moving them or getting rid of them. When choosing the latter, be mindful of where you feel the tree and perform stump removal for trees.

Keep Exterior House Coverings Clear: Exterior house coverings like siding and brick can help to protect your foundation from damage. However, if they are not properly maintained, they can do more harm than good. Be sure to inspect these regularly and repair any damage that you see.

Make sure your ground slopes away from your foundation: Water can do more harm to your home’s foundation than good and if you are serious about protecting your home’s foundation, make sure the ground slopes away from your foundation. Doing so will help ensure that water does not pool around your home and cause damage.

Keep track of changes in and around your property: Are you planning on landscape changes? Expanding your outer kitchen? Whatever you do, keep track of changes in and around your property because they will affect the stability of your foundation. If you are unsure about something, always consult a professional to get their opinion.

Monitor foliage near your home: Foliage, whether it be trees, shrubs, or even grass, can hold a lot of moisture. If you have foliage near your home, monitor it closely. You can also hire someone to come and do it for you. In addition, if you are planning on mulching your trees, be sure to use a mulch that is not too dense.

Hire an inspector: One of the best things you can do to protect your home’s foundation is to hire an inspector. They will be able to tell you if there are any problems with your foundation and give you advice on how to fix them. Not only that, but they can also keep an eye on things for you so that you don’t have to worry about them.

While no one enjoys thinking about their home’s foundation, it is an important part of owning a home. By taking the time to understand how to safeguard your home’s foundation, you can help avoid costly repairs down the road. So don’t wait until there is a problem to start thinking about your foundation. Use these tips and tricks to help keep your home’s foundation in tip-top shape. If you have any questions or concerns about your home’s foundation, contact a professional for an inspection. They will be able to identify potential problems and offer solutions to fix them.