Top Preventative Tips to Avoid Costly Foundation Repairs
You Can’t Completely Stop Foundation Movement,
But You Can Reduce The Chance Of Big, Costly Problems.
But You Can Reduce The Chance Of Big, Costly Problems.
We’ll be honest—there’s no 100% surefire way to prevent foundation settlement from happening in the Amarillo area. The truth is that gravity causes all foundations to settle at least a little bit as the years pass.
But while you may not be able to fight the effects gravity has on your foundation, you can take measures that will prevent large and expensive problems from occurring.
Let’s run through some preventative tips to reduce the chance of your home developing foundation trouble…
Tip #1: Keep Vegetation Under Control
Vegetation like trees can be one of your foundation’s worst enemies. If vegetation is near your home, the roots can suck the moisture right from the soil in which your foundation sits. This can dry out the soil and cause it to shrink. As a result, your foundation can sink and settle.
It’s best to plant vegetation away from your home, but we understand that’s not realistic for everyone. In these cases, you have a few options. The first is to install root barriers in the ground. These will redirect a plant’s roots away from your foundation without harming the plant. The second option is to plant vegetation that requires little water. This way, the vegetation won’t drain your soil of excess moisture.
Tip #2: Have Proper Yard Grading
Proper yard grading is important because it diverts water on the ground away from your home. Water runoff will go whichever way your ground is sloped. If the ground surrounding your home is flat or slopes toward your foundation, runoff will go toward your home and foundation. This excess moisture can cause the soil around your foundation to swell, which can cause stress on your foundation and upheaval.
You can either re-grade your yard yourself or hire a professional. The do-it-yourself route will naturally save you some dollars, but it will take more time and effort, and the results might not be as successful as hiring a pro. Whichever path you choose, proper yard grading is crucial to reducing the risk of foundation trouble.
Tip #3: Keep Your Gutters Clean
Overflowing gutters are no good for your foundation. If your gutters are clogged, rainwater will spill over the sides of your eaves… and directly next to your home. That excess water will penetrate the ground and seep into the soil that’s holding your foundation. As we mentioned above, soil that swells can lead to big foundation trouble.
Aside from manually cleaning out your gutters (or hiring someone to do it for you), you can also have a gutter guard installed to prevent debris buildup. There are several types of gutter guards on the market, and many of them work great while blending seamlessly with your roofline.
A gutter guard probably isn’t necessary if your home isn’t surrounded by trees that shed leaves, pine needles, or other gutter-clogging debris. But if you find your gutters regularly clog, it may be worthwhile to explore gutter guard options.
Tip #4: Have The Proper Drainage System
Poor drainage can cause water to pool around your home and foundation. Your soil absorbs this excess moisture and swells. When your soil swells, it pushes on your foundation walls. This can lead to cracks, bowed walls, and upheaval.
With proper drainage, you keep water away from your home and, as a result, keep your foundation dry. Like yard grading (Tip #2), drainage installation can be a DIY project or done by a professional. Which you choose depends on how much you want to spend, how confident you are in your handyman abilities, and whether you want to actually perform the work yourself.
Tip #5: Invest In Soil Stabilization
The Amarillo area is ripe with what’s called expansive clay soil. In a nutshell, this is soil that is prone to shrink/swell cycles due to moisture absorption. As the soil shrinks and swells, your foundation shifts and becomes uneven. EcSS 3000® is our exclusive, proven soil stabilization formula. It permanently alters the structure of soil molecules to prevent moisture retention. This means your soil won’t expand and will not experience the typical shrink/swell cycle of expansive clay soils.
Soil stabilization like EcSS 3000 is the textbook definition of “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” The cost to stabilize your soil is minuscule compared to the cost it takes to correctly repair soil-related foundation problems. We’d know—we been doing foundation repair in the Amarillo area since 1972!
Summary
You can’t completely stop your foundation from settling over time. And that’s okay—foundation settlement occurs in ALL homes. But by following the tips above, you can help ensure your foundation doesn’t move at an unnatural rate that will create costly problems.
If you think you may be experiencing a symptom of foundation failure in Amarillo or a surrounding area, visit our Signs Of Foundation Trouble page for more information. Then get in touch right away to book your free 27-Point Analysis. We’ll accurately assess your issue and recommend the right course of action… with zero arm-twisting or obligation.
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