When we explore some of the more common causes of foundation damage to homes and buildings, our team frequently finds that damage starts with minor exterior problems that are often overlooked. It is easy for homeowners to overlook simple issues, such as drainage problems or standing water around their foundation, until these minor exterior problems lead to major foundation damage. At Tom’s Basement Waterproofing, our family-owned business has helped home and business owners maximize the lifespan of their foundations by providing the knowledge you need to catch small problems before they become more expensive and difficult to repair. We’ll take a closer look at several of the most common exterior problems we find that lead to major foundation issues.
Improperly Installed Downspouts
Downspouts help direct water away from your home’s foundation after a storm, preventing soil erosion, reducing standing water, and reducing hydrostatic pressure around foundation walls. If a downspout is improperly installed or directs water towards your foundation, your foundation becomes at risk of damage and water intrusion. To ensure your downspouts are working to protect your foundation, ensure that:
- Downspouts release water 5-10 feet away from the base of your foundation
- Downspout extensions are installed and are working properly
- Splash blocks direct water away from your foundation walls
Poor Grading Around Foundation Walls
Just like downspouts, the land around your foundation walls should be properly graded to direct rainwater away from them. Soil should slope away from a structure to prevent standing water from forming around foundation walls. We recommend a 5% grade with semi-impermeable soil, such as clay, for the highest level of protection.
Clogged or Damaged Gutters
Another common exterior problem that can be easily overlooked is clogged gutters. When debris like leaves or sticks accumulates in your gutters, it can cause water to back up and overflow, creating standing water at the base of a foundation. For gutter maintenance to prevent these issues, we recommend:
- Cleaning gutters biannually
- Inspecting gutters after major storms
- Investing in gutter guards if your gutters frequently clog
Leaking Hoses and Garden Water Spouts
While a small leak in a garden hose or water spout around your property can seem insignificant over time, these leaks can dump large amounts of water right at your foundation. A leak as small as a pinhole can easily lose 25-30 gallons of water a day, or over 750 gallons in a month. Often, these leaks can be easily fixed by replacing worn washers or stopped entirely by turning off exterior water lines.
Sprinklers Aimed at Foundation Bases
If you take pride in your lawn and use either an underground sprinkler system or an above-ground sprinkler, you’ll want to make sure that sprinklers don’t aim at your foundation. Over time, it is common for irrigation heads to become misaligned, which can quickly cause them to spray large amounts of water at the base of your foundation. We recommend checking your sprinkler alignment regularly and ensuring above-ground sprinklers are placed far enough away from your foundation walls.
Mulch Placed Near Foundation Walls
Mulch placed and piled around foundation walls often retains moisture. Besides just holding water, mulch piled around foundations also makes it more difficult for homeowners to notice cracks forming in foundation walls. To prevent these common problems, we recommend leaving a gap of a couple of inches between mulch and your foundation.
Landscaping Plants Placed Too Close to the Foundation
Finally, the last of the common exterior problems we see with foundations is plants placed too close to a foundation. Dense vegetation like bushes and shrubs can trap water against a foundation, make regular inspections harder, and alter drainage patterns. We recommend planting shrubs and other plants with large root systems several feet from a house.
Get Help With Exterior Foundation Problems With Tom’s Basement Waterproofing!
If you’re struggling to address these common causes of foundation damage or are dealing with existing foundation damage, Tom’s Basement Waterproofing is here to help! To get started, schedule an inspection with our team today at (586) 776-7270.