Don't Forget the Foundation

4/28/2021 (Permalink)

Don't forget the foundation!

We’re heading into another few days of Rain here in North Garland - after 2 winter storms and a tornado sighting in the area. That is a lot of water – and with water comes the potential for damage.

We know that regularly inspecting the roof and keeping gutters clean are important for avoiding leaks in the ceiling and walls of your home. Did you know it’s just as important to keep rainwater away from your home’s foundation?

If you notice pooling near the foundation, there are a few things you can check and correct:

1 – Check the gutters again. Even clean ones might be too short or improperly angled so water isn’t draining away from your house.

2 – Check the grading of the soil near the foundation.

It should slope away – and if it doesn’t, you will need to add dense soil to create the proper grading (clay soil is best.)

3 – Correct it with a French drain around the foundation. To do this, dig a trench with a 3-5% downslope, line it with plastic and place a drain with perforations in it to pull the water away.

4 – Correct any cracks in the driveway. If your driveway is connected to the house, make sure there aren’t cracks or holes where water can seep underneath when it rains.

5 – Correct the drainage on either side of your house. Make sure your neighbors aren’t inadvertently sending water your way. They may need their own French drain or you may need to build a retaining wall between your properties to keep water from rolling into your yard.

 Rain is good for the earth – but not for your foundation so make sure to keep your eye out for pesky puddles after our next storm.