Springtime Foundation Maintenance Tips
April 30, 2017
With spring in the air, homeowners in the Dallas / Fort Worth area will soon be getting out to trim any overgrowth, clean gutters, inspect and clean the roof, and repaint their homes. Springtime is also the time to do a little foundation maintenance to fend off potential moisture problems and prevent costly
foundation repairs.
Here are some simple things you can do to ensure your home’s foundation is ready for the springtime rains and summer heat that lies ahead.
- Ensure good drainage around the house
Poor drainage around your home’s foundation can lead to problems. Ideally, the ground should slope approximately 6″ downhill away from the foundation over the first 10′ feet.
This article gives step-by-step instructions on how to measure the grade of the ground surrounding your foundation.
- Use splash blocks to direct water away from your home’s foundation
As you inspect and clean the gutters, check to make sure that rain water is being directed away from the foundation. Placing splash blocks at the point where downspouts meet the ground will keep water from pooling around the foundation.
- Check for any plumbing issues
If you have leaky exterior faucets, they need to be repaired right away. Leaking faucets may not cause water pools right away, but they can keep the soil around the foundation continually wet. This weakens the foundation. Air conditioning drains can cause the same problem. So, make sure that AC drain pipes are installed properly and regularly cleaned to prevent overflow.
- Use organic materials to improve soil structure around the home
Organic material such as compost can improve both the nutrient content and structure of the soil near your house. This will help with drainage as the soil will be able to absorb and retain more water to the benefit of both your foundation and landscaping.
- Plant ground cover to further improve water retention
During the warmer months, you can keep the soil adjacent to the foundation moist by planting ground cover. Ground cover is cost-efficient compared to other bedding plants because it requires little maintenance and doesn’t have to be replaced every season.
- Choose bedding plants with low water needs
Finally, choose bedding plants that don’t require a lot of water. You’ll save on your water bills while keeping the soil around the foundation moist.
These simple springtime foundation maintenance activities are inexpensive and don’t require a lot of time, and they can save you a lot of aggravation and expense in the long run. If poor drainage is still a problem, you may need to consider having a French drain installed.
If you think you may have a foundation problem, call us at 817-478-1181 to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation estimate to repair your home’s foundation.
