4 Tips: Creating Healthy Foundations
Original Content by Carl Johnson
Like most things, a good foundation is essential, particularly when it comes to your home. Foundation repairs come in many different shapes and sizes, but fortunately there are many preventative measures you can take that will save you time and money in the long run. Here are four main suggestions on what to look for in order to avoid damage and maintain the integrity of your foundation.
Like most things, a good foundation is essential, particularly when it comes to your home. Foundation repairs come in many different shapes and sizes, but fortunately there are many preventative measures you can take that will save you time and money in the long run. Here are four main suggestions on what to look for in order to avoid damage and maintain the integrity of your foundation.
Tip 1: Reducing Moisture
Arguably one of the most important points in protecting the foundation of your home is ensuring that there is not excess moisture present. From redirecting root systems to extending your downspouts, there are many methods to help you manage moisture around your foundation and prevent damage.
Arguably one of the most important points in protecting the foundation of your home is ensuring that there is not excess moisture present. From redirecting root systems to extending your downspouts, there are many methods to help you manage moisture around your foundation and prevent damage.
- Grading: The landscape around your house should slope away from the foundation. If it does not, this may be remedied by using a berm or swale with plantings, though these need to be maintained to prevent erosion. A french drain is a more ecofriendly approach, preventing runoff, but this method also requires maintenance to prevent clogging. In all of the above, make sure you don’t redirect the water to your neighbors property!
- Waterproofing: If you know you have an issue with moisture in the foundation, waterproofing the exterior and interior walls may be your best option. There are several different ways to accomplish this goal including applying a wall treatment, or rerouting water to drains away from the home.
- Gutters and downspouts: When is the last time you cleaned your gutters or downspouts? Blockages can lead to leaks that breach the gutter walls, most likely putting water right next to your foundation, rather than redirecting water away from your home. If the downspout is too close to your home consider an extender. These can be buried and redirected to a storm drain or specific spot in your yard.
- Impervious surfaces: If you are considering adding impervious surfaces to your property such as landscaping paths, or paving a sidewalk or driveway, be sure to do so in a way that directs water away from your foundation.
- Plumbing repair: Many homeowners might not notice a plumbing leak unless it is significant. If left unchecked, even the smallest leak can result in huge issues such as structural damage. It's always a good idea to regularly check your crawlspace for standing water or evidence of broken or damaged pipes.
Tip #2: Rooting for You
Roots can cause damage in more ways than one. In areas where fluctuations in soil moisture can cause the land to swell and shrink, a large tree can cause depressions in the soil by removing up to 200 gallons of water in one day. Additionally, tree roots can cause destabilization by growing towards water and into the foundation of your home. Consider removing trees or bushes, or installing a root barrier to prevent this from happening.
Roots can cause damage in more ways than one. In areas where fluctuations in soil moisture can cause the land to swell and shrink, a large tree can cause depressions in the soil by removing up to 200 gallons of water in one day. Additionally, tree roots can cause destabilization by growing towards water and into the foundation of your home. Consider removing trees or bushes, or installing a root barrier to prevent this from happening.
Tip #3: Know Your Soils
The soil that your foundation rests upon plays a large role in the types of problems that you may encounter. Various soil types interact with water differently. While there are many different kinds of soil, there are three main types to be aware of in North Carolina: sandy soil, sandy loam soil, and clay soil. Sandy and sandy loam soil both drain water relatively easily and do not expand or contract very much as moisture levels change during seasons. On the other hand, a soil that is rich in clay is known as an “expansive” soil, and can fluctuate dramatically as weather and moisture levels change. This repeated movement beneath and around your foundation can result in long term damage. Maintaining a constant level of moisture around your home is recommended in these areas to avoid the soil contracting whenever possible.
The soil that your foundation rests upon plays a large role in the types of problems that you may encounter. Various soil types interact with water differently. While there are many different kinds of soil, there are three main types to be aware of in North Carolina: sandy soil, sandy loam soil, and clay soil. Sandy and sandy loam soil both drain water relatively easily and do not expand or contract very much as moisture levels change during seasons. On the other hand, a soil that is rich in clay is known as an “expansive” soil, and can fluctuate dramatically as weather and moisture levels change. This repeated movement beneath and around your foundation can result in long term damage. Maintaining a constant level of moisture around your home is recommended in these areas to avoid the soil contracting whenever possible.
Tip #4: Check for Changes
Foundation repairs can be costly, and knowing how to spot problems is crucial in providing preventative maintenance. Be on the lookout for unlevel or shifted foundations by using a level to check if a wall is leaning. If you have a poured concrete foundation check for curves or bulges in block foundations. These are found if the soil around your foundation puts pressure on the walls through expanding or contracting, or if the foundation has shifted.
Small, hairline cracks may form over time as your foundation settles and as temperatures change and are not a very large cause for concern. When the soil surrounding your foundation exerts pressure on the foundation, horizontal cracks form. Stair step and large diagonal cracks are a cause for concern and require immediate attention since they can indicate structural integrity problems. To prevent more costly repairs in the future, it is always best to have a qualified structural engineer consult on any damage you may see regardless of size.
Foundation repairs can be costly, and knowing how to spot problems is crucial in providing preventative maintenance. Be on the lookout for unlevel or shifted foundations by using a level to check if a wall is leaning. If you have a poured concrete foundation check for curves or bulges in block foundations. These are found if the soil around your foundation puts pressure on the walls through expanding or contracting, or if the foundation has shifted.
Small, hairline cracks may form over time as your foundation settles and as temperatures change and are not a very large cause for concern. When the soil surrounding your foundation exerts pressure on the foundation, horizontal cracks form. Stair step and large diagonal cracks are a cause for concern and require immediate attention since they can indicate structural integrity problems. To prevent more costly repairs in the future, it is always best to have a qualified structural engineer consult on any damage you may see regardless of size.
It is my hope that these tips will guide you in making more informed decisions about your property. Should you find any of these issues in your home please give me a call. I can provide recommendations on who to contact and what your next steps should be.
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© Carl Johnson Marketing - all rights reserved 2021
Click here to learn more about the rate of return on home improvement projects.
© Carl Johnson Marketing - all rights reserved 2021
