Foundation damage is one of the most dreaded problems with your home that can arise. If your home needs foundation repair, it’s likely to be a long and costly process. Most of the time, homes need foundation repair because of humidity issues (usually in the earth surrounding the home). Here are our top 5 tips that can help prevent these costly repairs:
1. Watch your water runoff and sprinkler systems
This is by far the most important step in preventing foundation problems in your home. Sprinkler systems are a good idea to stop the ground around your home from drying out, especially if you live in an area where sporadic rainfall is a problem. However, make sure you take into account the many, many factors that go into installing a sprinkler system that properly moistens the area around your home. It’s best to get a professional for this. Even small things like time of watering, wind, rainfall, slope of hills near your house, and even your neighbor’s watering habits can go into contributing to the health or disturbance of your home’s foundations.
2. Don’t plant a patch of plants too close to your home
While many people love to line their homes with beautiful flowers and bushes, this is actually a very bad idea for the foundation of your home. Plants take in a considerable amount of moisture and will prevent necessary moisture from getting into your home’s foundations. This can be very dangerous and can easily cause foundation cracks or warping.
3. Don’t ignore the warning signs
Any door or window that doesn’t close, and any separations or cracks are serious signs that something may be going on with your home. Sometimes, these problems can just be due to an extreme fluctuation in humidity. Other times, the problems are much more serious. Our trained technicians will be able to tell you whether your problem is going to resolve itself or it needs to be taken care of by a professional. If you wait until the problem is more serious, it’s likely to be a much more costly repair.
4. Make sure your drainage system is working to your benefit
In areas with heavy rainfall, many people need to drain their yards to prevent pooling. This is good, as incredibly high moisture levels can also be bad for your home’s foundation. Make sure your drainage system is draining evenly around your entire house and that there moisture level in the dirt is as even as possible. This will stop shifts in foundation from one side of your home to the other, and is crucial in preventing foundation damage.
5. Don’t wait for rain
While rain certainly adds to the moisture of the dirt around your home, it is not okay to rely only on rain for moisture. Rain is often sporadic. There are periods with lots of rain, and periods with very little rain. Because of this, the humidity in your home’s foundation will fluctuate greatly and this is incredibly dangerous. If you rely on rainfall for humidity, your home will likely need a foundation repair in no time.
In the business of home foundation repair, we see a lot of damage that could have been prevented through moisture control. Save money on costly repairs by following these quick tips. If you want a crack or separation examined, give us a call and we’ll be out to your house in no time.
