How to Keep Water Damage from Destroying Your Foundation

As you may know, the integrity of your home lies in its foundation.  So, one could argue that the foundation of a house is quite important.  If you really think about it, your house sits on its foundation, so you must know how to keep it safe, and what can cause expensive damage. 

​If the foundation of your home becomes damaged, it is not only expensive to fix, but it can cause the value of your house to decrease.  

Having a damaged foundation can also be quite a safety hazard.  And, the biggest threat to your foundation is water accumulating near and around your house. 

​If you are unsure of the safety issues involved with water damage or the signs to look for if you have water issues, you should read further as we discuss how to keep water from destroying your homes’ foundation.  

Signs of Water Damage

If you are not certain how to spot water issues that affect your foundation look like, we have made a list of signs to check for. 

Water damage can affect both the inside and outside of your house.  Here are some signs that your interior has been affected by water damage; peeling paint in the basement, sinking floors, cracks in the walls of the basement, cracks in the floor of the basement, a musty smell in the air and mold.  

To look for signs to the exterior of your house, you may notice cracks to the outside of the home.  Or, you may see sunken areas of soil around your house that contracts and expands as it absorbs water and loses water.

​This is dangerous because it can shift the foundation of your house.  Other signs to look for are bowed walls, uneven floors, and doors that do not close properly.   

How You Can Prevent Water Damage

You need to take good care of your roof and gutters to protect the foundation of your house and prevent water damage. 

A leaky or damaged roof may cause water damage.  And, a leaky roof allows water to seep into the foundation of your home.

If you suspect a leaky roof, it is in your best interest to contact a professional for the job. 

Replacing a leaky roof yourself can be dangerous and complicated and it is a job best left to a person with experience.  Because if you try to do it yourself and you do not know what you are doing, you could cause more damage that is quite expensive to fix.

You should also keep your gutters clean and functioning.  If your gutter system is not working properly, they will not pull water away from the foundation of your home. 

As a homeowner, you must plan on routine gutter maintenance and cleaning.  This will extend the life of your gutters.  If you do notice cracks or leaks in your gutters, make sure to get them fixed asap. 

​Moreover, if the gutters are so bad that you feel you need to replace them, consider getting seamless gutters that are custom built to fit your house.