Maintaining Your Foundation: A Guide for Homeowners

Many homeowners often overlook their foundation until it begins to show signs of wear and tear. Ensuring the longevity and stability of your home's foundation is crucial, and a proactive maintenance routine can save you from potential catastrophic damages and the heavy financial burdens they bring.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the essential steps to maintain a healthy foundation. Whether you live in a newly constructed home or a historic property, the principles for foundation care remain the same. Here’s what you can do to secure the base of your home for years to come.



Understanding Your Foundation

Before diving into maintenance tips, it's crucial to understand the different types of foundations commonly used in homes. The three main types include basement, crawl space (pier and beam), and slab. Each type has its unique features and requires specific care.

• Basement: This is a common foundation type that supports multi-story homes. It consists of a concrete slab at the bottom with walls made of masonry or concrete blocks. Ensuring proper waterproofing and drainage is crucial for basement foundations.
• Crawl Space: This type of foundation consists of a raised floor with an open area underneath, often used in areas with high moisture levels. Crawl spaces require proper ventilation to prevent mold growth and structural damage.
• Slab: Slab foundations are made of a single layer of concrete poured directly onto the ground and reinforced with steel bars. They are commonly used in warmer climates and require proper insulation to prevent cracking due to temperature changes.

Signs of Foundation Problems

Knowing the signs of foundation issues can help you catch problems in their early stages when they're easier and less costly to address. Watch for warning signals such as:

• Cracks: Hairline cracks in walls and flooring can be an early sign of foundation settling or soil movement. Look out for vertical, horizontal, or stair-step cracks, as well as shifting of doors and windows, which can all indicate significant foundation problems.
• Uneven Floors: If you notice that your floors are sloping or uneven, this can be a strong indication that the foundation is shifting or settling.
• Moisture and Susceptibility to Mold: Excess moisture that seeps through cracks formed by foundation settlement can lead to mold and mildew growth; damage to cosmetics or other long-term, costly repairs.
• Sticking Doors and Windows: Doors and windows can become difficult to open and close if the foundation has shifted and put the house out of square.
• Exposed Gaps: Look for gaps in the exterior and interior areas of your home, especially near the foundation. Large gaps can indicate significant movement and should be inspected by a professional.

If you notice any of these signs, it's recommended to get in touch with a foundation specialist to conduct an assessment.

Year-Round Foundation Maintenance

Regular maintenance of your foundation should be a year-round concern, as different seasons can bring various challenges. Here are some tasks to add to your maintenance checklist:

Fall Foundation Care

In the fall, ensure that your gutters and downspouts aren't blocked with leaves and debris. Clogged gutters can cause water to overflow, leading to excessive moisture around the foundation, which can weaken the soil and cause problems with the structure. Ensure all downspouts eject water away from the foundation wall and into an area that expels water from the property.

Winter Preparations

Before winter sets in, insulate any exposed water pipes from the foundation to prevent them from freezing and potentially bursting. In South Central Texas, this can lead to extensive under slab damage causing heaving of the soil and upward movement of the slab.

Springtime Inspection

As the temperatures change from colder to warmer, make sure the grade of your yard slopes away from the foundation to prevent water from pooling around it. During the wetter months, soils can erode due to improper drainage and you may need to add soil to cover the exposed foundation wall no longer covered by the cosmetic parge coating due to erosion.

Summer Checklist

Summer is a good time to address any dry areas of the soil where cracking is present and a lack of moisture exists. Watering is important to promote healthy soil and vegetation around the perimeter of your foundation. Due to watering restrictions of some municipalities, you may have challenges in this important preventative maintenance activity. Read the fine print as most communities have a hand-watering or drip (soaker) hose exemption. Consult your foundation repair expert for proper watering guidance for your slabs best foundation performance.

By being diligent with your seasonal maintenance, you can significantly reduce the chances of foundation problems.

Tools for Foundation Maintenance

Gathering the right tools is your first step toward effective foundation maintenance.

• Erosion Control: Slope the soil away from the foundation to manage runoff and prevent soil erosion.
• Downspout Extensions: Properly extend your downspouts to direct water away from the foundation, ensuring they discharge at least ten feet away from your home.
• Drip (soaker) hoses: promotes healthy soil moisture levels which prevents soil contraction and dying vegetation that provides soil "skeletal" support.

Foundation Inspections

While you can conduct minor inspections on your own, it's important to have a professional inspect your foundation at least once every year, to few years. They have the necessary expertise and tools to identify potential problems and suggest appropriate solutions.

Maintaining your home's foundation is a year-round endeavor that requires attention to detail and regular inspections. By understanding the type of foundation you have, recognizing potential issues, and following a thorough maintenance routine, you can protect your home from costly structural damage. With these guidelines, you're well-equipped to take proactive steps in keeping your foundation sound. Contact us here at Risen Foundation Solutions to learn more.