As home owners, we are responsible for protecting every aspect of our properties; including the areas that we can’t actually see. Unfortunately, if you fail to protect the foundations of your home, you could end up with some costly damage that will be difficult to repair. Whether you have helical piles or concrete foundations, here are some tips to help you protect them.
When the soil around your home becomes too wet or too dry, the foundations of your property can be affected. For example, if there’s a heatwave and the land becomes very dry, or there are lots of trees and plants close to the property that are soaking up all of the moisture, the soil can shrink. The foundations then shift into the newfound space, which then causes problems in the parts of the building that are above ground. You might notice cracks in the concrete and the walls or even leaks. Rather than paying out for such large repair work, it’s better to look after the soil around your property. Keep it watered during summer and ensure there is adequate drainage so that it doesn’t become too moist after heavy rainfall.
Following on from the above point; you might think that installing a decent drainage system on your property is enough. However, you’ll also have to check it every now and again to make sure it hasn’t become blocked with leaves and other debris, or damaged during a bout of severe weather.
It’s worth keeping an eye out for any structural changes to the local area that might impact your property’s foundations. For example, if your next door neighbour is having a basement built into their property, it might affect your own building. Discuss such construction work with the builders on-site to figure out how your house might be affected and what you can do to stop it from happening. You may also want to check their credentials, such as whether they have builders insurance, s if things should go wrong, everyone involved is protected.