Tips to Maintain Foundation

Ten Steps for Maintaining Foundation

1. Avoid trapping water against your foundation. Water can be trapped against the building by raised flowerbeds, using metal edging or other borders that do not have openings to allow water to escape, by sidewalks or other obstructions.
2. Use the downspout extensions or splash blocks on all down spots.
3. Place soaker hoses around your foundation to keep the soil damp during dry periods.
4. If your sewer becomes blocked or backed up, have it tested for leaks. Many times sewer blockages are caused by roots, which means there are openings in your sewer.
5. Keep the majority of the shrubs around your house under 3 feet tall. Large plants need large amounts of water, which can cause foundation problems.
6. Leaking sprinkler lines and pool circulating systems cause foundation problems. Have your systems tested for leaks every 2 to 3 years.
7. If you have large trees around your house, and the trees are closer to your foundation than the height of the trees, consider installing root barriers to keep the trees from pulling water out from under the foundation.
8. Make sure that the soil around your foundation is graded so that the water flows away from the foundation. The soil should drop 4 to 6 inches in 4 to 6 feet.
9. Make sure that all paved surfaces that border your foundation slope away from your foundation. This is particularly important for pool decks.
10. Keep the soil around your foundation between 2 to 4 inches below the brick line or edge of your siding. The soil helps to hold the water in the ground and reduces seasonal settlement.