How to Avoid Foundation Issues

NV Waterproofing & Foundation Repair’s experienced technicians are proud to serve homeowners with professional foundation repair services to help alleviate your stress year round. Here are five ways to avoid foundation issues in your home:

1. Direct Water Away From the House

Rainwater and runoff must all drain somewhere, and if your yard is prone to flooding or standing water, then you may want to consider finding the right drainage solution for your yard. Installing in-ground drains will allow water to drain away from your house, preventing soil expansion which can cause tension in the foundation. A downspout that connects from your gutters to the ground and discharges water sufficiently far from the foundation can also help guide rainwater and runoff away from your foundation.

2. Install a Proper Grading System

Another way to direct excess rainwater and runoff away from your house is with proper grading implementation, which is a process where the terrain is sloped in such a fashion that water won’t be able to reach the base of your house or its foundation. With professional grading, excess water will be able to flow away from the foundation and prevent any damage from occurring.

3. Plant Away From Your Home

Every yard needs to be moist enough to sustain a stable foundation. Roots of trees, shrubs, and other plants constantly compete with soil for water. If these are planted near the house, a foundation may experience cracking due to the plant roots sneaking in through the cracks in the foundation. This may even cause the foundation to settle unevenly. Foundation cracking and uneven settling can be easily prevented by simply placing any plants or greenery with thick roots away from your house.

4. Embed the Foundation

To provide further protection to your foundation, thoroughly compacting soil around the foundation will allow the soil to retain the proper moisture levels along with mulch, especially during dry periods throughout the year. A common rule of thumb to follow is to embed the foundation about two inches from the top of the foundation slab.

5. Maintain the Proper Amount of Moisture

Letting the soil around your house dry out and shrink can be just as dangerous as having constant standing water on your lawn. A good way to maintain the moisture in your soil is to install a timed sprinkler system along with rock beds to bring water deeper into the soil. You can also run a hose into the soil during a drought as necessary.

Trust NV Waterproofing & Foundation Repair to Fix Damaged Foundation

While there is a range of methods you can use to prevent foundation issues, following any of the preventive measures above will help keep your foundation strong. If you need further assistance, NV Waterproofing & Foundation Repair offers many services including flooding accommodations, insulation installment, and more high-grade foundation repair services that can be customized to your needs. We care that you have peace of mind knowing your foundation is strong enough to withstand potential threats. Contact us today at 1-703-690-3889 to receive a free estimate on your foundation repair!