Protecting Your Home's Foundation

The goal of a foundation maintenance program is to maintain a consistent moisture level at all times around your foundation, not too wet and not too dry.

In the heat of summer you will need to add moisture to the ground around your foundation. When it rains you need to make sure water doesn’t stand or pond anywhere near your foundation.

The challenge is accomplish this despite seasonal weather changes, site conditions changes and of course trees and landscape growth.

Maintaining consistent moisture levels in the soil surrounding your homes foundation will help prevent foundation problems. Maintain drainage around your foundation during wet periods and during dry periods add water. During hot dry, periods, if there is a gap between the soil and foundation, it’s time to start watering.

The following checklist identifies key areas for you to maintain as the property owner.

Here’s How to Help Prevent Foundation Problems

7 Easy DIY Tips to Protect & Maintain Your Home's Foundation

1. Maintain a Positive Slope Away from the Home

Slope soil for the first 5 feet from the foundation at 5 percent slope or greater.

2. Maintain Sidewalks, Patios and Driveways

adjacent to the foundation to ensure proper water drainage away from the foundation.

3. Maintain Flower Beds, Plants, Fences and Pools

to allow water to escape. Trapped water can contribute to foundation problems.

4. Maintain Gutters and Downspouts

to ensure positive water flow. Make sure water does not stand near the downspouts.

5. Maintain Irrigation and Sprinkler Systems

Moisture is needed but a broken sprinkler head can add way too much water.

6. Maintain Trees and Shrubs

Trim tree’s away from your roof. Large trees can pull hundreds of gallons of water from the soil each day. Tree roots will impact foundation performance.

7. Maintain Plumbing Systems

Leaks in water lines and sewers systems can add water under a foundation and can cause soil movement. Watch for increased water usage on your bill, be aware that cast iron sewer pipes deteriorate over time, and stoppages could be a sign of potential problems.

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Well, our foundation was repaired this week. It is AMAZING!!!!! Once they "jacked" it up you could immediately tell the difference! So cool! When you walk to that side of the house, you don't go downhill. Oh my goodness - what a HUGE difference. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
- Bev & Mike, Austin TX