Important Steps for Increasing the Lifespan of Your Home’s Foundation

One of the most overlooked features of your house is also among the most important: it’s the foundation. Like how your roof protects your house and everything in it every day, your home’s foundation works 24/7 to support your house and everything it holds. So why is it so easy to forget to care for and maintain a foundation? Well, you don’t see or think about the foundation every day, especially when you’re inside. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t give their foundation any thought until something serious happens. Foundation repairs can be expensive, which is why preventative maintenance is so important.

Luckily, there ways to increase the lifespan of your home’s foundation. Let’s take a look at what experienced foundation contractors in Marinette County, WI suggest doing.

Fix minor cracks

Inspecting your home’s foundation is not something you do every day. In fact, it’s probably not something you do even once a year. While you are not alone in this, the time has come to add a basic foundation check to your seasonal to-do list. The primary things to look for in your foundation and basement walls are minor cracks and fractures, which need filling in order to avoid turning into major cracks. If you are unsure what to do, hire a foundation repair professional.

Inspect plumbing annually

You might be wondering what a home’s plumbing system has to do with the condition of the foundation. It’s important to inspect your home’s plumbing system at least once a year for leaks. Look closely on both the inside and outside of your house. You’re looking for leaks behind the walls and under the floors. Leaks are bad for the foundation and other parts of the house, not to mention hard on your bank account when it comes time for repairs.

Plumbing checks are essential for catching leaks early, but you should also watch for signs of plumbing issues, such as higher water bills than usual, pooling water, mold buildup and low water pressure.

Set up proper drainage

A plumbing problem is not the only thing that can lead to a water damaged foundation. Rainwater or other storm water around your home that cannot drain can also damage foundations. If the soil surrounding your home is not able to absorb or get rid of moisture, then the ground may shift. This puts strain on your home’s foundation. Check whether the soil around your property is too dry or too wet. If it’s dry, consider installing rock beds a couple feet away from the foundation to help rainwater seep into the soil. If it’s wet, make sure rain gutter downspouts are directing water away from your home.

Schedule foundation inspections

As a homeowner, you should perform your own foundation inspections every so often to check for damage and drainage problems. Strong signs of foundation damage include slanted floors, buckling walls, a sagging roof and problems with windows and doors. For more thorough checks, schedule inspection appointments every six months.

Do you have questions about foundation pouring? Call Kwiatkowski Construction Co., Inc. today! We have the most experienced team of residential foundation contractors in Marinette County, WI, and ready here to help.

Categorised in: Concrete Foundation Contractor

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