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.
Need Help?
I offer Foundation Consulting Services to Texas homeowners living in
Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and Austin and surrounding areas.
I can help you save money and avoid making costly mistakes. My service fee
is reasonable. Your satisfaction is 100% Guaranteed.
If you want to learn more fill out my Contact Form
or call me at
713-826-5035.
