Foundation Maintenance Tips

As with many features of your home, theese foundation maintenance tips will help you to understand and acheive proper care of your foundation. Foundation maintenance tips can also help prevent some of the problems associated with foundation movement and ultimately prevent the need for foundation repair. If you see signs of foundation problems, you may already have movement in your foundation.

Why are foundation maintenance tips important?

As a Dallas foundation repair company, we often see foundations that aren’t properly maintained. As a result, we decided to put together these tips to help you properly maintain your foundation.

Watering Your Foundation

1. Water your soil in every season to maintain constant moisture around the perimeter of the slab – taking care not to create pools of water or mud spots. Adjust watering for seasonal changes in heat and rain.
2. Place soaker hoses 12 to 18 inches from the foundation (never next to it).
3. Avoid over-watering – watch for soft soil and/or standing water.
4. Don’t allow water to pool within 15 feet of the house.
5. Take care not to overwater enclosed planter areas that are adjacent or within 15 feet of the perimeter.

Proper Drainage

1. Soil should slope a minimum of one inch per foot over a distance of eight feet from the foundation perimeter.
2. Don’t let water accumulate under a Pier and Beam House – the piers will sink and the floor will feel ‘bouncy’.
3. Fill depressions in the soil that alter the drainage slope (like the drip line depression that forms below the edge of the roof).
4. Make certain that air conditioning units and gutters drain well away from the foundation.
5. Use French drains or surface drains as needed to keep water from standing near the foundation.
6. Be attentive to landscaping changes on both your property and your neighbors that might alter the flow of water back to your foundation.

Trees and Your Foundation

1. Trees should be no closer than their canopy height from the perimeter of the foundation.
2. Install root barriers for trees close to the house.
3. Treat shrubs or bushes taller than three feet as you would mature trees.

Finally – take care of your plumbing – dripping faucets, sewer line and fresh water plumbing leaks can soften or swell the soil and may cause foundation failure. If your home is more than 30 years old, we recommend a professional leak test every one to two years.

If you require assistance with your home’s foundation in Dallas or the surrounding areas don’t hesitate to give us a call! We provide a free evaluation so you really have nothing to lose!