Summer's here, and while we enjoy the sunshine and balmy evenings, it's also prime time to ensure your home's foundation stays strong. A sturdy foundation protects your entire structure, so a little preventive maintenance prevents costly repairs down the road.
To protect your Lakeville home's foundation, our experts at Christian Brothers recommend performing routine maintenance tasks.
Check out our team's summer checklist to keep your foundation in good condition.
1. Inspect the Grading Around Your Home
The way your yard slopes around your foundation is crucial. Ideally, the ground should slope away from the house at a minimum of 6 inches over the first 10 feet. This ensures proper drainage and prevents water from pooling around the foundation, which can lead to leaks and cracks.
What to do: Walk around your house and visually inspect the grading. If you notice any areas where water pools or the slope angles towards the house, consider hiring a professional to regrade the soil.
2. Clean Up Your Gutters
Clogged gutters are a major cause of foundation problems. Overflowing gutters direct rainwater directly next to your foundation, putting undue stress on it.
What to do: Regularly clean out your gutters, removing leaves, debris, and any blockages. Consider installing gutter guards to minimize future maintenance.
3. Check for Foundation Cracks
Hairline cracks (less than ¼ inch wide) are often cosmetic and don't pose a significant threat. However, larger cracks or those accompanied by movement or uneven floors might indicate a more serious foundation issue.
What to do: Inspect your foundation walls (both inside the basement and outside the house) for cracks. If you notice any cracks, consult a professional foundation repair contractor for an evaluation.
4. Address Drainage Issues
Proper drainage is essential for keeping water away from your foundation. Check for any clogged drains around your house, including those from downspouts, French drains (if you have them), and basement floor drains.
What to do: Clear any blockages in the drains and ensure they channel water away from the house. Consider extending downspouts to discharge water further away from the foundation.
5. Mind Your Landscaping
While landscaping adds beauty to your home, certain plants can wreak havoc on your foundation. Trees with aggressive root systems can grow under the foundation and cause cracks.
What to do: Choose plants with non-invasive root systems when landscaping around your foundation. Avoid planting trees too close to the house.
Why You Should Hire Christian Brothers For Your Foundation Services
When you need foundation repairs at your Lakeville home, hire our contractors. Contact us today for an estimate and schedule services to have our experts inspect your foundation and make necessary repairs. We specialize in finding and repairing complex foundation problems.
