Protecting your home’s foundation against water damage is essential. Sometimes, you won’t notice anything is wrong until something catastrophic happens, such as your foundation sinking into the ground and making your home unstable.
Protecting your home’s foundation against water damage is essential. Sometimes, you won’t notice anything is wrong until something catastrophic happens, such as your foundation sinking into the ground and making your home unstable. Here are some tips for how to prevent water damage this fall.
Extend Your Gutters
One solution is to extend your gutters. When it comes to protecting your home’s foundation, this is an excellent place to start. The downspouts shouldn’t be letting the water pool in puddles too close to your home. This can turn the soil into the mud and can also seep into your foundations, causing more problems than the eye can see. Using plastic or metal extensions can make a difference. Even so, there are more effective ways to protect your home and foundations against water damage.
Cover Up Any Gaps
Another idea is to find and cover up any possible gaps in the basement. This means you’ll have to inspect the pipes and plumbing systems in that part of the house. If you don’t know what to look for, then that’s why you can rely on professional contractors and plumbers who can identify potential problems for you. Plugging holes with caulk or hydraulic cement will help, but if the joints in the walls are water damaged, then this means that groundwater is the culprit.
Rebuild the Crown
At some point, the crown will need to be rebuilt. What this means is that the base of your home should rest on a so-called “crown” of soil. This crown should be six inches high in a radius of ten feet in every direction around the foundations of your house. Adding more soil to the crown helps deal with any drainage issues.
Redo the Landscape
The next step is to redo your landscape. While you might dismiss the notion of landscaping during the fall and winter, they can still make a fantastic difference in how to keep your home safe while adding valuable curb appeal. Doing this also helps protect your home’s siding against damage caused by rot and termites.
Fix the Footing Drains
Lastly, fixing the footing drains can also help make a difference. The foundations, walls, and basements can all come under threat from hydrostatic pressure. The footing drains are designed to move water away from the foundation, but they can become clogged. What this means is that the drains need to be unclogged and flushed out with garden hoses or plumbers equipped with tools called augurs.
Contact Topper Construction Today!
If you’re interested in having gutters, a roof system, siding, or water drainage system installed in your new home, or would like a free estimate, contact Topper Construction. With Topper Construction, you’ll see the benefit of nearly three decades of experience. Contact Topper Construction at 301-874-0220 or email us at info@topperconstruction.com if you are interested in learning more. We can help you with projects in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Northern Virginia.
