Protecting Your Home From Foundation Water Damage
Posted on: 21 June 2022
Protecting your foundation from common sources of damage can be an important part of keeping your home in good condition while also reducing the long-term maintenance and repair costs for the property. For some homes, poor drainage around the foundation can be a significant issue that will need to be addressed.
Poor Drainage Is A Common Source Of Foundation Damage
Poor drainage can be a significant contributing factor to water damage to the foundation of a home. This damage can be due to water seeping into the concrete of the foundation, which can lead to the concrete crumbling, as well as the metal rebar corroding. Depending on the severity of the drainage issue, it could also lead to the soil that is supporting the foundation washing away and dissolving.
Enhancing Poor Drainage Can Involve Some Excavation Work Around The Perimeter
Contractors will likely need to perform some excavation work around the base of the house to improve the drainage. In particular, this will be needed to install gutters, French drains, and other features that will direct the flow of water away from the house. Additionally, a protective coating or water barrier will be applied to the exterior of the foundation, which can significantly reduce the amount of moisture exposure that occurs. This excavation work can be somewhat damaging to the landscaping directly around the home, but professional foundation contractors will be experienced with limiting the size of the area that has to be excavated.
Addressing The Drainage Issues May Require The Installation Of A Sump Pump
For a home that is located in an area that has extremely poor soil drainage, the installation of a sump pump system may be required to keep the foundation safe. These pumps are able to automatically activate in the event that water seeps into the basement or other areas so that the water can be expelled as quickly as possible. A sump pump can be an affordable device to add to your home, but the installation process for it can be somewhat involved due to the need to install the pump as well as drain lines and intake drains throughout the area. While this can be one of the more involved and disruptive upgrades for protecting your house against water damage, it's a good way to protect your house against the potential need for major foundation repair costs in the future.
Contact a local foundation drainage service to learn more.
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