The foundation is the most important part of your home’s structure. You certainly do not want to wait until there is a problem with your foundation before you start paying attention to it. Doing so can cost you a lot of money in repairs.
Stablelift Foundation Repair of San Antonio, TX present these steps you can take to maintain your home’s structure. Watchful vigilance and care are the keys to a proper foundation. Following these tips are a great way to take care of your home and ensure that it is around for you and your family for many generations. This is especially true in caring for your pier and beam foundation, preventing costly repairs.
If you are going to take care of the inside of your home with marble flooring, fire places, and rustic cedar mantels. There is no reason to not make sure you have spend time maintaining the structure of your home as well.
1)Roots
Did you know that the tree and shrub roots in your yard can harm your foundation? These roots can suck water from your home’s foundation during a drought or dry spell. When this happens, your drywall will crack and your windows and doors will stick in their frames. To avoid this phenomenon, plant trees and shrubs away from your home.
2) Epoxy
The concrete slabs in your home’s foundation form hairline cracks over its lifespan. If the cracks in your foundation are minor, fill them with either epoxy glue or a similar material that is made for concrete repair.
3) Water and Your Home’s Foundation
You do not want to let the soil around your home get too dry during a drought or dry spell. The next time it rains, the soil around your home will expand. This causes a lot of stress on your home’s structure. During a long dry spell, run a hose at least six inches from your home’s foundation. You also want to make sure that the hose is at least three inches under the soil in your yard.
4) Rock Beds
An alternative method for providing moisture to your home’s foundation is to put rock beds in your yard. You will want to install the rock beds at least 18 to 24 inches away from your home’s structure. Doing this allows moisture to deeply penetrate the soil around your home.
5) Downspouts
Any downspouts you may have for your home need to pull rain and runoff from your roof away from your residence. But you will want to have your downspouts at least 5 to 10 feet away from your home, as they can dump water on your home’s foundation. You can either buy extenders or put a downspout diverter underground. The diverter then drains the water to the curb, a drain, or to another part in your yard where the extra moisture will penetrate the soil.
6) Low Areas
If you live in a low area, you can install drains into the ground that can help with excess moisture. If you decide to go with this option, the drains will need to go to areas of low elevation or into a catch basin that is filled with gravel.
7) Grading
The right grading, along with ground leaning away from your home, is a necessity for a good foundation. The ground’s slope should be three to five percent within ten feet of your home’s foundation.
A healthy foundation equals a healthy house. You can also look over couple more home repairs you shouldn’t ignore. Following these tips not only helps you avoid costly repairs, it also helps the rest of your house stay grounded and sound.
Stablelift Foundation Repair proudly provides solutions for damaged home foundations. You can connect with them on Google+ to learn more about their business.
