The foundation of your house even though out of sight, is the most important component of your home, according to Forbes. It is, therefore, vital, to do whatever you can to protect it. Landscaping the surrounds of your house is one of the most effective methods of achieving it. Some easy to practice landscaping tips to safeguard your house foundation:
Don’t Plant Trees Close to Your Home
Even though trees add natural beauty to your home, it is not wise to plant them close to your house. The roots can suck away the moisture and cause the foundation to settle. The tree roots can also exert pressure against the concrete and crack them open. Additionally, leaves and other falling debris can clog your gutters and downspouts, resulting in the water spilling over close to the foundation, and extra moisture can create pressure on the foundation and cause it to crumble.
Grade Your Yard Properly
Water pooling near your foundation is one of the main reasons for foundation damage. If you live in an area that sees heavy rainfall, you will do well to grade your yard, so that it slopes away from the house. It will ensure that the water drains away and does not pool near your house, causing cracks in the concrete to develop or creating even more serious issues, says a landscaping consultant at Regional Foundation Repair. You can additionally consider installing a swale or drainage channel to discharge the water faster and more effectively from your yard. It acts to drain the water away that would have otherwise oversaturated the soil around your foundation, which can lead to the foundation settling and cracking.
Install and Maintain Gutters
It is important not to let the rainwater from the roof of your house fall and collect around your foundation. You must take care to install gutters that will channel the water away, preferably into a storm-water drain. Also, you must inspect them at regular intervals to make sure that debris is not blocking the downspouts. A clogged gutter can often compound the problem can result in faster damage to your foundation.
Place Concrete Patios, Sidewalks, and Driveways Strategically
If you have a concrete patio or a sidewalk around your house, you need to design and grade them so that rainwater drains away from the house into the yard. Also, keep in mind that if you have a large patio in your backyard, the soil underneath will be relatively dry. There can be a soil imbalance if you have a heavily irrigated and beautifully landscaped garden in front. Over time, this imbalance in the soil moisture will affect the level of the foundation, requiring you to undertake expensive repairs.
Conclusion
The foundation of the house is supposed to last for a very long time, and indeed it can if you know about the potential problems and plan accordingly. The key to keeping the foundation free from damage is proper landscaping and taking initiatives that do not permit the soil to become too moist or dry, and keeping plant growth under control.
