Winter may have been hard on your home’s foundation, but springtime also can take its toll. Melting snow and high precipitation may gang up and continue the onslaught on your foundation, causing walls to bow and crack. And that could signal the start of your problems.
Your number one priority should be to stop water from getting into the foundation and causing damage. When you do so, you’ll also safeguard the structural integrity and value of your home, as well as minimize the need for costly foundation repairs.
What Causes Foundational Problems or Damage?
Before we look at how you can prevent foundational problems, it pays to know the common signs of foundation damage. Some may have started way back and grown worse with time. If you notice one or more of these signs, it’s time for repairs:
- Sticking windows and doors
- Cracks around the foundation
- Leaning or bowing walls
- Basement leaks
- Leaning chimney
- Bowing or leaning walls
- Uneven or sinking stairs
Contact your local basement and foundation repair contractor to schedule an inspection. You’ll uncover the problems facing your foundation and get lasting fixes too.
Ways to Prevent Seasonal Damage
As a homeowner, there are a couple of things you can do to keep moisture out of your foundation and avert problems associated with it. Let’s look at some simple ones.
- Inspect your foundation and basement and seal up any cracks that can allow water to leak to the foundation.
Some contractors may apply epoxy injections to stop the cracks from widening. When done properly, sealing can stop water seepage and prevent rats and crawling insects from invading your home.
- Your gutters work to channel rainwater away from the foundation of your home.
When they are dirty or clogged, water may spill over the roof, down into your basement and foundation, and eventually cause water damage. Check and fix any loose or damaged gutters, including downspout extensions, so they can drain rainwater and melting snow properly.
- How’s the grading around your home?
Does it slope toward or away from the home? If so, grade it to stop running water from collecting around the perimeter of your home. Talk to your landscaper to see what they can do.
- When was the last time you inspected your drainage?
Proper drainage can lessen moisture concentration on the soil near your home. A good way to stop damage would be to install French drains and internal drainage systems in your basement to ensure any water that gets into the basement gets out fast.
- In the coming weeks, you can expect rain to increase.
And with it comes the risk of flooding. If your home or area floods during wet months, install a sump pump in the basement. It will help you drain out any water that gets into your basement. Ensure it has battery backup or it won’t be of use when lights go out during a storm.
- We also encourage you to clear drains and create footing drains and French drains if they don’t already exist.
- Both will help you drain standing water.
Light excavation is necessary before installation, but it’s well worth it considering how much damage standing water can cause.
Not only does a good foundation prevent water from entering your home, but it also minimizes heat loss to the surrounding soil and prevents health hazards such as mold growth. A strong and healthy foundation also stops water damage to interior finishes, especially flooring and walls.
Are you concerned about the ability of your foundation to hold up in the wet months of spring? Give the pros at JES Foundation Repair a call for a free foundation inspection plus expert advice. We’ll let you know whether your foundation requires a simple fix or comprehensive repair.
