When people call a foundations repair company to address problems, they automatically assume that the structural damage is caused by inadequate building expertise or a fault of someone or something else. However, homeowners are often the own culprits of their foundation problems, and learning that they could have been avoided is often a detriment. Here are a few ways in which homeowners cause foundation issues:
Over watering the lawn. Over watering the lawn is a common cause of foundation problems. Just as in areas that have received a great deal of rain, the soil can swell and cause pressure to rise up against the foundation of a home, whether it be a slab or a basement. This pressure causes the foundation walls to swell upwards and cause cracks to appear in the walls. The best method of watering a garden or yard is to maintain a constant moisture level in the soil surrounding the foundation of your home. Automatic watering systems that can be adjusted per season can help to regulate the moisture level around your home.
Landscape Installed too Close to Foundation. Many people love to design their landscape so that it accentuates the lines and architecture of their homes. However, without proper consideration of how plants, shrubs, and trees grow major damage can be done to the foundation of a home. There is a general rule that all plants should be kept at least five feet from a home’s foundation; larger shrubs and trees should be planted even farther away. Not only can large shrubs damage the exterior of the home, large shrubs and plants have large roots that will dramatically expand over time. As roots expand in the soil, they will begin to move under the foundation of a home. This can jeopardize the stability of a home and cause havoc to repair.
Swimming Pools with Improper Waterproofing. Swimming pools are a common outdoor addition to a landscape here in Georgia during our hot and humid summers. However, the waterproofing of swimming pools must be considered very seriously from the beginning to ensure that the water tightness will be adequate. Pool shells that leak an overabundant amount of water will lift the surrounding ground from swelling. Pools that are too close to homes can actually lift a home’s foundation, causing it to be unlevel and very dangerous. The amount of money it requires to correct this issue is extremely substantial.
Homeowners have much more to take into consideration when building a home than just the four exterior walls. Should your home experience foundation problems due to improper maintenance (from previous or current homeowners), call Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs today.
Posted on behalf of John Anglin, Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
