Tips For Preventing Foundation Problems With Water
A common problem a homeowner can have with a foundation is when water gets inside their home. Once that moisture gets in, it can end up causing a lot of damage. Even a small crack can allow water to get in due to static pressure against the foundation walls. That's why you want to take steps to prevent water from getting inside, which will help prevent damage to a foundation.
Fix The Landscaping Grade Around Your House
The grade of the around your house can have a big impact on the foundation. If you have problems where water is collecting against the side of your home, it means it is seeping into the ground and collecting against the foundation. It causes a problem known as static pressure, which will help water get into a home through the smallest of cracks.
Thankfully, fixing the problem is a simple job that you can even do on your own. Add more soil to the perimeter of your house so that there is a gradual slope, which allows the water to naturally flow away from the home instead of collecting beside it. Using plants can also help absorb water, which will help keep water away from the foundation.
Fix Your Gutters and Problems With Water Runoff
Your home's gutters are responsible for collecting the water that falls on your roof and getting it as far away from your foundation as possible. Unfortunately, many people don't pay much attention to where the water goes once it exits the gutters. It's possible that your downspouts are dumping the water directly against the foundation of your home, causing it to collect and cause that static pressure.
The simple fix to this problem is to extend your gutters far into your yard, keeping water away from your foundation. It may look a bit strange to see gutters that extend into a yard, but it is necessary to keep your foundation healthy. Some cities even allow downspouts to be connected to the local sewer system, which prevents the water from getting into the ground.
Install An Interior Drainage System
Sometimes the basic steps just don't work that well at reducing static pressure. It could be from your home being located at a low point of your block, and you can't get away from the ground water. You will need to have a drainage system installed, which can be done inside your home to avoid the expensive process of doing it on the exterior.
Once you have the drainage system in place, it will be safe to do foundation repairs to prevent more damage from occurring.
