Foundation Maintenance Hacks for Homeowners
When it comes to the most basic home care and maintenance, it’s all about the foundation. Nothing else much matters if your home’s structural integrity is failing, so – like most worthwhile things in life – you’ve got to start at the bottom and work your way up. There are some things handy homeowners can do on their own to help protect their homes. Most of these can be done seasonally, but it’s never a bad idea to walk around your home and visually inspect the exterior and the crawl space once a month.
First and foremost, make sure there is no standing water around the foundation. Water is the enemy, and we want to keep it out! Next, ensure the foundation vents and crawl space doors are installed properly, in good repair and working order. If you notice problems, this is a great DIY project most homeowners can handle themselves.
Another good idea is to purchase a foundation crack monitor. You can find them on Amazon for around $20; they’re a worthwhile investment. It will help you monitor any cracks that have appeared in the foundation. If the cracks are relatively small and not getting any worse, another good DIY project is tuckpointing – the process of repairing or refilling the cracks. Although, this is more of a preventative and aesthetic fix.
Repointing is the more involved process of sealing mortar joints and repairing joints on brickwork that have crumbled or become damaged. This process can be done by more skilled homeowners, but it may be better left to the professionals. Once mortar joints become damaged, it becomes much easier for water and moisture to seep into the brickwork, causing further damage. Remember – water is the enemy, and we want to keep it out.
Other productive DIY hacks for homeowners include:
Be sure gutters are cleaned and working properly, diverting water (our old archenemy) away from the home and foundation.
Trim and prune shrubbery that is close to the foundation.
When planting new landscaping, make sure it’s at least 2-5 feet away from the foundation, depending on the size of the shrub.
Keep an eye on tree roots that are close to the foundation. You may need a professional to assess any damage, and you may also want to install a root barrier.
Level the slope around your home if the ground slopes toward your foundation. We want to send water away from, not toward the house.
Keep the ground moisture levels as consistent as possible. Dried-out soil around your home can pull away from the foundation, causing cracking. An automatic sprinkler system, an underground foundation watering system, or a rock bed near your foundation can fix this problem.
Of course, you may discover issues that are not DIY-friendly and better left to the pros. Anytime you notice water intrusion in your crawl space or basement, immediately call for professional help to assess the situation and get the best advice on proper solutions. This is also true if there is a need for the removal and replacement of structural elements.
Best-selling author and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar once said, “The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty.” Just like building and maintaining a successful life, great homes must be built on strong, solid foundations. Keeping yours in tip-top shape is key to your home’s success. As always, we are here to help in any way we can.