Foundation Maintenance

Can I share a little Foundation Repair Insider Secret with you. Do you know that the foundation repair companies have a powerful force working for them day and night. This secret is in part responsible for the fact that there are over 150 foundation repair companies in the Dallas and Fort Worth Metroplex area. The numbers are similar for Houston, San Antonio and Austin.

The Secret

Now for the secret. A word of caution here some of you will not appreciate me sharing this secret. If you continue you do so at your own risk. Are you ready for this? Ok, but first you have to promise to tell anyone because it would not be a secret if you did. Alright you asked for it, the Secret is Homeowner Neglect, that's right the foundation companies owe a large part of their success to the negligence of homeowners. Many of you, and you know who you are, are too busy or lack the knowledge or are simply too damned lazy to do regular foundation maintenance.

I warned you that you may not want me to tell you about the Secret. Something that I am sure you will like a lot less will be the amount that the foundation repair company will want to fix the result of your neglect.

If the previous couple of paragraphs does not describe you then read on, maybe your can avoid having to face the Foundation Repair Man in the future..

Hot Dry Weather

The first thing you should be aware of is that most foundation damage occurs during the dry hot summer months when the soil around your home dries out. If your read my article on Differential Movement you already know that drying causes the soil to shrink. This in turn allows the foundation to sink, causing all sorts of problems.

Soaker Hoses

Using soaker hoses is one of the best ways to protect your foundation. Simply place the hoses 18 to 24 inches away from your foundation and give your soil some water. Caution do not over water, you only want the soil to be moist.

You do not want water to build up and run down beneath the foundation. That will only cause more problems. It is better to water several times per day if you can manage it. When it rains you can stop watering until the soil begins to dry out again.

If you are one of those people who are prone to going to bed or even going out of town for the weekend and leaving the water running, there are timer devices you can purchase that will not forget to turn the water off.

Clogged Gutters

Next you can make sure that your gutters are clean and not overflowing anywhere, dumping large amounts of water next to your foundation when it rains. You should also make sure that the downspouts dump the water at least 5 feet away from the foundation and that that there is proper drainage.

Drainage Problems

Make sure that there are no low spots next to your house where water builds up. If there are low spots fill them in with topsoil and plant grass. It is important that all extra water drains away from your foundation.

Check any planters or flower beds along the foundation and make sure that they have proper drainage. All excess water should be directed away from your foundation. Be careful when watering plants to insure that you do not allow any excess water to seep under the foundation.

Sprinkler Systems

Check your sprinkler system and make sure that none of the heads shooting water against the exterior walls. If you have this problem the offending heads must be adjusted to insure that excess water does not find it's way under your foundation.

Air Conditioner Condensation

Many homes are set up to allow for condensation from the air conditioner to drain next to the foundation. If you have this situation it must be remedied ASAP. You must direct this water away from the foundation. On humid days an air conditioner can dump a lot of water and over time can cause serious problems.

Large Trees

Large Trees can also be a problem. Some tree types like Oaks have shallow root systems that extend can great distances in search of water. They even grow under your foundation and beneath your home where they can cause serious problems.

If a tree's root system draws moisture from the soil beneath your home causing it to shrink and your foundation to settle in the areas of shrinkage. If the roots grow upward they can exert enough pressure to break through your floor. Trees are especially dangerous because they can cause damage to the interior areas of your slab.

If you think you have a problem with tree roots you should call in a professional to help you develop a plan that will allow you to halt or avoid damage to your foundation. There are several options, the most effective of which is to install a Root Barrier between your foundation and the tree.

If you stay on top of these issues and water regularly during dry seasons you can save yourself a bunch of money.