It may sound cliché, but a building is only as strong as its foundation. A compromised foundation opens the door for future water damage, structural damage, and even mold growth. Thankfully, there are some preventative steps you can take to avoid foundational damage.
IS THERE TOO MUCH MOISTURE?
Take a look around outside after a few rainy days. Do you see any puddles of water next to your foundation? If you do, you are going to want to take some steps to remedy the problem as soon as possible.
- Gutters and Downspouts –Designed to channel water away from your home, they only work correctly if they are properly maintained. It is important to make sure gutters are not clogged with leaves and debris. Installing a gutter screen will help with this. Your downspouts should be draining at least 10 feet away from your home.
- Drainage – The ground should slope away from your foundation in order for the water to drain away. The slope should go down at least 6 inches over 10 feet.
IS THERE TOO LITTLE MOISTURE?
It doesn’t seem as though too little moisture should cause a problem, however, soil that dries out contracts. The problem is that during a heavy rain, the soil will soak up the water and then expand, creating pressure on your foundation walls. To combat this problem, it is a good idea to water the soil surrounding your home periodically to keep it from drying out. Mulch can also help your soil to not dry out, as it retains moisture.
A little bit of awareness and planning can head-off many problems before they ever begin and regular inspections can catch small problems before they get out of hand, saving you money in the future.
