Your foundation is very important to your Texas home, as it makes up the structural basis of the house. As you can imagine, it should be protected in the best way possible, throughout all months of the year. Proper protection will keep leaks and flooding at bay, not to mention shifting and erosion.
Did you know that the way you maintain your surrounding landscaping makes a big difference to the health of your
foundation? It’s true. Check out these seven important landscaping tips designed to protect your foundation.
- Plant trees and shrubs away from the foundation. The root systems of your trees are very complex and far-reaching – more so than you think. Because they are so large and obtrusive, they tend to grow under foundations and around them too, which results in damage and moisture accumulation.
- Adjust your gutters. Make sure your gutters are pointed well away from your foundation. If necessary, install gutter extensions that send water five feet or more away from the foundation. You also have the option of installing underground downspouts that can send water even further away. Regularly clean out your gutters to remove leaves and other debris. If left to accumulate, this debris can clog your gutters and lead to overflow and pooling of water. Check your gutters for gaps, holes, or leaks regularly.
- Leave drains and outlets intact. Keep all drains that may be in your yard. They are there for a reason! If their appearance bothers you, you may be tempted to plant flowers or bushes around it, but don’t do this: it restricts drainage, which can then cause foundation damage.
- Slope flower beds properly. Make sure the grade on your landscaping goes away from your foundation. Improper slope leads to erosion and foundation damage.
- Water your yard evenly. If you only have one part of your yard that’s landscaped, the soil in that area will expand because it’s being watered more often. Soil expansion leads to foundation cracks. Take care to water evenly all over your yard to protect your foundation against moisture in rainy times or lack of water in times of drought. When choosing which plants to add to your yard, go with deep-rooted plants over shallow-rooted ones. These erode more quickly.
- Leave some of your foundation exposed. If you don’t like the appearance of your foundation, you may be tempted to cover it up with vegetation or ornamental objects. But don’t cover up your foundation completely. Instead, leave a few inches exposed so you can check your foundation on a regular basis.
- Mulch the flower beds. Mulch keeps moisture in, which prevents the soil around your foundation from drying out too fast. Very dry soil causes movement around your foundation, too.
Contact Aftermath Structural Repair
Want more tips on how to protect your foundation with landscaping? Please
contact us at 281-231-8904.
