A compromised foundation can present a number of serious threats to your home. Unfortunately, this is a problem that new homeowners may not have much experience addressing. Unfortunately, this can be a problem that can require expensive repairs to have it fixed. To help you keep your home safe from this type of issue, you should keep the following three foundation care tips in mind.
Notice The Warning Signs That Your Home Is Suffering From Foundation Damage
When a home is suffering foundation damage, it is essential to have it repaired as quickly as possible; otherwise, the damage will slowly progress. Unfortunately, you may be under the impression that it is impossible to notice foundation damage due to the fact that it is buried. However, you should be relieved to learn that this is not actually the case and there are many warning signs that your home is experiencing this problem.
Some of the more common warning signs of foundation damage involve the door and windows being out of alignment. Additionally, you may notice that there are cracks forming along the walls and the hallways may appear lopsided.
Keep Your Roof's Gutters Maintained
It may seem counter intuitive that your gutters will play a role in the condition of your foundation, but dirty gutters can easily contribute to damage occurring to your foundation. This happens because the water that runs off the roof can soak the soil around the base of the home. Exposure to this excessive moisture can cause the foundation to start to crack or the rebar to develop corrosion. To avoid these problems, you should make sure to have your gutters cleaned every few months so that water can easily flow through them.
Consider Improving The Drainage Around Your Home
Standing pools of water around the base of a home can be a common problem for properties with drainage issues. Sadly, there are many homeowners that assume that there is nothing that they can do to increase the drainage of their properties. Fortunately, this is not the case as you will be able to use French drains and gravel to address many of these problems. In extreme cases, it might be necessary to adjust the level of the terrain through adding soil to raise the elevation around the base of your home. By speaking with an experienced landscaper, you will be able to devise an effective plan for correcting the poor drainage without ruining the appearance of your yard.
For more information about concrete foundations, contact professionals like S&W Concrete.
