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Home >> Foundation Repair >> Foundation Maintenance
Non-Uniform moisture can be caused by any of the following: 1.) Improper drainage 2.) Allowing the soil to become dry 3.) Excess watering near the foundation 4.) Plumbing leaks 5.) An improper watering program 6.) Neglect 7.) Runoff water not properly diverted away from the foundation 8.) Trees and large bushes growing too close to the foundation THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS ARE ESSENTIAL TO AN EFFECTIVE FOUNDATION MAINTENANCE AND MONITORING PROGRAM, AND SHOULD BE FOLLOWED CAREFULLY. DRAINAGE Maintain the grading and planting beds around the foundation to slope away from the structure. The soil around a house will tend to settle with time and additional topsoil will be needed. Use a clayey soil each time you replace the soil around the foundation. DO NOT USE SAND. Sand is porous. Rain water flows through the sand into soils supporting, and adjacent to the foundation, where it can cause problems. For foundation, it is best to keep at least two to four inches of concrete showing below the brick or siding. Soil above the brick line will allow water, wood ants and termites to penetrate into the house, which can deteriorate wall and floor systems. Avoiding ponding or standing water in the area of the foundation. The yard should have drainage channels (often called swales) to route rainwater away from the structure. Gutters should be maintained and free of debris. All runoff water should be diverted well away (2-3 feet) from the foundation. Water from flowerbeds should be carefully diverted away from the foundation. WATERING If the soil around the exterior of the home becomes excessively dry, it will shrink or crack, many times leaving a gap between the soil and the foundation. These cracks admit air which caused more evaporation and more cracking. When heavy rains come, the crack allow excessive amounts of water to be introduced directly to load bearing soils beneath their foundation. When the soils become supersaturated, they lose their bearing capacity and rapid settlement can result. (In most instances of foundation failure, damage will occur slowly over a period of years.) The goal for proper foundation maintenance should be to maintain a consistent high level of moisture in the soil to eliminate the swelling and contracting cycles that out soils continually go through. This can be somewhat accomplished through a proper watering program. Whether you have an underground sprinkler system, an above ground manual sprinkler system, or a black porous hose, you should monitor the system daily to ascertain the moisture content of the soil. In periods of hot, dry weather conditions, daily watering will probably be necessary; in cooler weather once or twice a week. The key is not to allow cracking to occur within four or five feet or your foundation. TREE – SHRUBS – FOLIAGE Large trees and shrubs that have been planted too close to the foundation have the potential of causing significant foundation damage, because their roots grow toward moist soil (underneath your house) and will extend out as far as the tree will grow. The solution is to plan ahead. Plant trees and bushes that will become large at an adequate distance from the house. For houses that have existing large trees or bushes near a home, a root barrier can be installed that will sever existing roots and prevent new ones from growing under the foundation. Diligent attention to moisture content, water movement and placement of foliage around your house will help delay, or even prevent future foundation problems. Give us a call today at 816.358.3300 (local) or 888.477.8821 (toll-free) for a free estimate, we want to help you!  |
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5539 Raytown Road • Raytown, MO 64133 • 816.358.3300 • Toll-free: 888.477.8812 Visit Pro Concrete Designs for the best concrete engraving, staining & polishing. Web site design by Big Ape Studios. Interior Concrete Floor Repair |
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