MORE LOCATIONSDon’t let your repaired foundation fail again. Here is a guide to maintain a repaired foundation
The foundation is one of the essential components of a home, critical for maintaining its structural integrity. Maintenance of newly constructed or repaired foundations can avoid future problems and keep foundation issues at bay. Keep reading to find the correct ways to care for your repaired foundation.
Maintain Soil Moisture
- During drought, the soil surrounding a home becomes dry and may shrink, leading to cracks in foundations. Maintenance of soil moisture levels can prevent future problems. Use a soaker hose to water the soil regularly about two to three feet from the house, starting from spring. If there’s consistent rainfall, stop the watering temporarily, as excess moisture can lead to foundation problems.
Inspect Plant Growth
- Certain trees and shrubs near the house can extract moisture from the soil. Thus, resulting in dry ground and damage to the foundation over time. To mitigate this risk, consult a foundation repair company to assess if any of your plants pose a threat to your foundation. Plants identified as a concern should be removed or relocated to a more appropriate location.
Install Gutters And Downspouts
- Without gutters and downspouts, water flows off the roof and causes damage over time, especially if it lands near the house. Install gutters and downspouts around the house’s perimeter to prevent this issue.
The downspouts should be long enough to carry water away from the foundation and should extend at least six feet away from the house. In addition, It is essential to clean gutters and downspouts regularly to ensure proper function. If trees surround your house, gutters need to be unclogged more often.
Ensure Adequate Drainage
- Improper water drainage can also contribute to foundation damage. If rainwater accumulates around the house, the foundation can swell, resulting in cracks and other issues.
Ensure the ground around the home slopes away from the building to allow for proper drainage. This will help avoid problems and maintain a healthy foundation. Additionally, ensure downspouts do not drain water too close to the foundation.
Improve Grading
- The slope of a property may cause water to flow toward the foundation of a home instead of away from it. Thus, leading to cracks and other entry points for water. To prevent this, grade slopes away from the house. A French drain should gradually allow the water to dissipate from the foundation into the landscape.
Take Notice Of Diagonal Cracks
Over time, foundation cracks can occur due to soil movement and temperature changes. Small cracks may not be a cause for concern. However, larger diagonal cracks require the services of a professional foundation repair company. Visual signs, such as cracks, can appear before structural issues arise. Cracks are a red flag that indicates your foundation is in danger and needs attention.
Over time, foundation cracks can occur due to soil movement and temperature changes. Small cracks may not be a cause for concern. However, larger diagonal cracks require the services of a Interior cracks on the first floor may be caused by foundation settlement. A hairline crack that is a quarter-inch in width and V-shaped indicates pressure on an exterior wall. A DIY repair can prove dangerous for you and your property unless you are experienced in foundation repairs. On the other hand, hiring a professional repair company can be much safer as it reduces the chances of injuries and accidents. In addition, you can relax when entrusting the job to an expert because safety is guaranteed.
Preserve the integrity of your home by effectively fixing the foundation issues. For all sorts of foundational problems, give us a call at 877-727-2259. Our experts from Crack-X will assess the damage and provide necessary foundation repairs. Crack-X is a structural repair company located in Maine and New Hampshire.