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Protect your home’s foundation from water damage

Water is necessary for life, as we all know. It’s in what we drink, what we eat and the products we use.

However, when it comes to your home’s foundation, it is detrimental. It enters from both the inside and outside of a home, potentially destroying the foundation. It not only makes a big mess but can cause thousands of dollars to fix if left unaddressed. Therefore, both homeowners and homebuyers need to keep their eyes open to potential and existing water issues and / or damage. Fortunately, there are plenty of experts around to help identify and help fix these kinds of problems.

So, what is the most important thing you can do to help prevent water damage to your home? Experts say homeowners should start by doing everything possible to divert water away from their foundation.

First, check the slope of your property to make sure it is not directing water toward your home but rather away from it. This will minimize water getting in through cracks and openings in the foundation walls. Get an expert’s advice on how to do this properly and effectively.

Second, check your gutters and downspouts to see that they are installed properly. Gutters and downspouts should carry the water away from the house, preferably 6 or more feet away. It’s also essential to keep gutters and downspouts clean and debris free. Another important way to remove water away from your foundation is to have your basement waterproofed. An interior basement waterproofing system manages water under your floor by removing groundwater before it reaches your basement floor. Water is pumped out via a sump pump and expelled to your storm sewer. Some companies will tie your downspouts into the same drainage system, ensuring that water from your roof is carried away from your foundation.

What other environmental issues can cause water issues for your foundation? Remember, they grow toward water when it comes to plants, shrubs and trees. If they are near a structure, they can destabilize a structure and penetrate the foundation. For trees and shrubs around your home, check to ensure that sewer and plumbing lines are intact, as roots love to grow through pipes. Roots also can penetrate foundation walls, creating cracks for water to get in. If a shrub or tree becomes too much of an issue, it should be removed. According to experts, winter is the best time to remove trees and shrubbery as they are dormant.

As a homeowner and as a homebuyer, you must do your due diligence in checking for signs of water damage, no matter how small. The rule of thumb for water damage is that visual clues usually appear before structural problems do. For example, one of the first signs of damage can be interior cracks in the interior walls of the home and basement foundation. As we all know, over time, a house settles, which may cause some cracks to develop not only in your foundation but also in the first-floor interior walls.

Cracks may indicate something is wrong. It could be that your foundation is sagging and in need of underpinning. However, hairline cracks are common and not usually a cause for concern. But if cracks are at least a quarter-inch in width and V-shaped, there may be pressure on an exterior wall. At this point, you should consult a professional on a fix for the issue.

Another clue of damage is a musty, mildew smell that can indicate the presence of mold. You will have to look a bit harder for finished basements for signs of water damage. For instance, for painted walls, a rust color will show through the paint when there is moisture in the wall or a white powder that is left behind by water containing minerals. Lastly, if your floors used to be level but now are at a slant, you may need a structural engineer to fix the issue.

In conclusion, prevention and catching small issues early are the key to keeping your house free of water damage.

Information for this article was provided by www.NAR.Realtor, “7 Fixes to Avoid Major Foundation Problems” by Barb Ballinger.

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