The foundation of your home is essential to your home’s safety. It doesn’t matter how big or small your house is, when you are facing a foundation that is damaged and not considered stable, it means big problems. Even the smallest foundation issues can be incredibly expensive to fix. It is essential that homeowners do everything they can to keep their home’s foundation from sustaining any damage. JMark Inspections is here to share some tips that will help you protect the foundation of your home.

Regular Foundation Inspection

It is ideal to have six inches between the bottom of your foundation and the wood, siding, brick or other coverings on the exterior of your home. Dirt and other debris can shrink this space and you should work to remove it, even when you can’t get the full six inches clearance.

Check Yard Ground Slope

The ground should always slope away from your foundation. That way, when you get rainfall or are watering the landscaping around your home, the water will run away from the foundation and not seep down, causing problems. You never want the ground to slope toward your home.

Look for Pooling Water Near Foundation

After you have experienced a heavy rainfall, this is the perfect time to walk around the perimeter of your home and inspect for any pooling water. If you do happen to see any pools of excess water, you need to remove the water and fill the area in with dirt to keep that from happening again.

Clogged Gutters Can Cause Foundation Problems

Your gutter system plays a big role in keep water away from your foundation. Your gutters need to be cleaned regularly or at least inspected for any debris in them that could keep the water from freely flowing. This is also a good time to look for any cracks, holes or gaps in your gutters that need to be repaired to avoid damage to your foundation.

Trim Bushes, Hedges & Landscape

If you have any trees or vines that grow close to your home, keep them trimmed and away from your foundation. These plants can trap moisture near your foundation and cause damage that way. If you can avoid it, don’t plant any trees near your foundation as the roots will soak up much needed moisture that will keep your foundation from cracking.

Water Your Foundation

It isn’t uncommon to experience a dry spell during the summer months. If it hasn’t rained for an extended period of time in your area, water your foundation to help keep it moist so it doesn’t dry, shrink or crack.

Buyers & Sellers Home Inspections in Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Conroe, Friendswood & Greater Houston, Texas

Experiencing foundation issues is any homeowner’s worst nightmare. If you are getting ready to buy or sell a property, you need to know that your foundation is solid. The experts at JMark Inspections will give buyers and sellers the peace of mind they need to complete a sale with our experience in home inspections. Call us today!