As a homeowner, taking care of your foundation is a great way to keep your house’s integrity in solid standing. When it comes to seasonal care, most of the work occurs during the summer and winter months. In this guide, we will explore the best seasonal foundation repair tips to keep your home in stellar shape.
Effective Summer Care Tips for Your Foundation
When the heat of summer strikes, the soil around your home tends to become dehydrated, this leads to soil shrinkage and alternating pressure pushes on the foundation’s materials, potentially making them weaker. By following certain steps, you can minimize the effects that summer has on your foundation.
Balance Watering and Drainage
During spells of hot and dry weather, you can water the area around the foundation with a sprinkler or garden hose. This might sound counterintuitive at first. After all, homeowners know that when water pools around the foundation for a long time, it can lead to many problems, especially with the foundation.
While it is true that the long-term presence of water can lead to damage, hot weather is a caveat. The latter risks drying out the soil too much and damaging the foundation. During such times, watering can maintain the moisture levels and soil stability.
That being said, care must be taken to avoid overwatering the foundation. Ensure that the area appears dried out before watering again, and adjust gutter spouts to release water at least five feet away from the home.
Pack Mulch Around the Perimeter
Another great tip to stop the summer heat from drying out soil is to mulch the area around your home’s foundation. This layer will act as a barrier against the heat and help the soil to maintain moisture for longer.
Natural mulch works the best, like wood chips. Pack the mulch around two to four inches thick for the best results. Remember to arrange the mulch in such a way that it does not touch the walls of your home.
Effective Winter Care Tips for Your Foundation
Winter comes with its own set of challenges. Your foundation can face freezing temperatures, ice, snow, and more. All of these factors can affect the moisture levels, drainage, and stability of the soil around your home. Here are some great tips to protect your foundation during the coldest months of the year.
Maintain Proper Drainage
If you live in an area where the winter weather involves a lot of rain or snow that turns into sludge, it is essential to make sure your home is protected with good drainage. If possible, landscape the perimeter to slope down to lead the water away from the house. Also, move gutters and downspouts away from the immediate foundation area.
Stick to an Inspection Routine
Every week or so, take a walk around your home and check for signs of foundation issues. Any small and superficial cracks should be sealed as soon as possible. This will prevent water from penetrating the building.
Also, check for more serious cracks and other symptoms of a sinking foundation, like uneven floors, stuck doors and windows, damaged drywall, cracked chimneys, and wall abnormalities.
The Importance of Professional Inspection
As a homeowner, there is plenty that you can do to safeguard your home’s foundation from the ravages of the seasons. However, there is no harm in scheduling a professional foundation inspection once or twice a year. It might be an extra expense, but a set of professional eyes can spot the earliest signs of a problem and save you a hefty bill later down the line.