A strong foundation is important in any good house, whether it’s just a small beach hut or an enormous mansion. Even the sturdiest house will collapse if its foundation is swept out from underneath it. You may not think much about the base of your house, but you should. Fortunately, a little maintenance and a few basic preventive measures can ensure your house stays stable even if the ground around it is still settling.
Stop Roof Runoff
One of the most common causes of foundation damage is runoff from your roof. You can easily prevent this though by installing and carefully maintaining a high-quality gutter system. Keep your gutters clean, and avoid the temptation to allow downspouts to drain near your house. Instead, have your contractor route downspouts into underground drainage systems that lead away from your home. These systems are inexpensive and easily installed, but they can save you many thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your home.
Direct Ground Water Away From Your House
Right after the next heavy rain, take a walk around your home. Is the five or so feet of ground around your foundation swampy and spongy? Are there actual puddles in that area? Ground water can do a lot of damage to your foundation, too. The solution is simple though, you need a downward slope of one to two inches leading from your foundation in order to allow water to run away from your house. Without that small slope, the water may drain down around your foundation or basement walls, causing more and more damage with every downpour. In many cases, a contractor can create the necessary slope without damaging existing trees or foundation plantings.
Prevent or Repair Leaks and Seepage
If your basement has damp spots on the walls, or if you have actual water leaking through visible or unseen cracks, take immediate action. These obvious signs of water infiltration are also signs of ongoing foundation damage. If you only have wet areas on your basement walls, having them waterproofed from the outside will probably solve the problem. If you already have cracks, you will also need to have those cracks repaired. Fixing them is more complicated than simply patching a little concrete and repainting though, so do your research before tackling the project yourself. Luckily services like Safe-Guard Waterproofing are already experienced in this area and can help you come up with a solution.
Your house's foundation is more than just stone, blocks, or concrete. It's the basis that makes possible everything you and your family do in your home. With a little care and the occasional repair, your foundation can support your house for many generations to come.
Stop Roof Runoff
One of the most common causes of foundation damage is runoff from your roof. You can easily prevent this though by installing and carefully maintaining a high-quality gutter system. Keep your gutters clean, and avoid the temptation to allow downspouts to drain near your house. Instead, have your contractor route downspouts into underground drainage systems that lead away from your home. These systems are inexpensive and easily installed, but they can save you many thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your home.
Direct Ground Water Away From Your House
Right after the next heavy rain, take a walk around your home. Is the five or so feet of ground around your foundation swampy and spongy? Are there actual puddles in that area? Ground water can do a lot of damage to your foundation, too. The solution is simple though, you need a downward slope of one to two inches leading from your foundation in order to allow water to run away from your house. Without that small slope, the water may drain down around your foundation or basement walls, causing more and more damage with every downpour. In many cases, a contractor can create the necessary slope without damaging existing trees or foundation plantings.
Prevent or Repair Leaks and Seepage
If your basement has damp spots on the walls, or if you have actual water leaking through visible or unseen cracks, take immediate action. These obvious signs of water infiltration are also signs of ongoing foundation damage. If you only have wet areas on your basement walls, having them waterproofed from the outside will probably solve the problem. If you already have cracks, you will also need to have those cracks repaired. Fixing them is more complicated than simply patching a little concrete and repainting though, so do your research before tackling the project yourself. Luckily services like Safe-Guard Waterproofing are already experienced in this area and can help you come up with a solution.
Your house's foundation is more than just stone, blocks, or concrete. It's the basis that makes possible everything you and your family do in your home. With a little care and the occasional repair, your foundation can support your house for many generations to come.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar