As anyone who lives in Plano, Texas knows, the rain showers that pop up during the spring can turn into thunderstorms and last for hours and sometimes days, dumping several inches of rain. When these serious downpours occur, the water collected around your home causes the soil and dirt to swell around the foundation. This can lead to costly home foundation repair costs. There are a few things a homeowner can do to help protect your home’s foundation.
Roof and Gutters Play a Role In Foundation Maintenance
Poor drainage around your home from your roof can affect your home’s foundation. Gutters, which dump rainwater directly into the soil next to your home can send that moisture straight down under your slab, or pier and beam foundation where you don’t want it. There are a few different ways you can help prevent this.
First, try gutter downspout extensions. These extensions easily attach to the bottom of your gutter and help route rainwater away from your foundation and into the yard instead. Another super easy option to help protect your home foundation is to get downspout splash blocks. These are simply blocks made of concrete or other material designed to disperse the water from your gutter rather than letting it beat directly down into your yard.
Landscaping to Prevent Foundation Issues
Landscaping your yard isn’t only for beauty and to increase curb appeal. It can also be a useful tool in preventing foundation problems from occurring around your home. Make sure all the landscaping slopes at a downward angle away from your home and foundation. This can help prevent pooling around the foundation. Also, keeping the soil fresh and adding mulch in the spring can help flowerbeds and other areas absorb some moisture that otherwise might seep into your foundation.
Tree Roots and Foundations
If you’re planting a tree, don’t place it too close to your house. The job and primary function of a tree’s roots are to collect moisture from the earth to survive. Tree roots usually extend away from the trunk to the length at least the height of the tree. Tree roots may venture under your home and foundation seeking water and nutrients. Once that moisture is gone, roots may die off and leave an empty space in your soil potentially causing foundation failure. If you already have a large tree, ask your landscaper about using a root block to stop existing roots from reaching under your home.
Dalrock Foundation Can Fix Your Problem
If you see cracks in your walls, spaces between the bricks on the outside of your home, or notice doors suddenly don’t close properly, it’s time to contact a professional foundation repair company. Dalrock Foundation Repair is a full service residential and commercial foundation repair company servicing the Dallas Metroplex. Get in touch with us and learn how we can help solve your foundation problems.
