Drought-Related Foundation Problems Can Lead to Spring Water Issues
Even though much of Alabama remains in a drought, it is important to prepare your home and foundation for the rainy days that often accompany springtime. It may seem contradictory to prepare for rain and moisture in the midst of a drought, but several drought-related foundation problems can make your foundation and home more susceptible to water leakage.
The continuing drought in areas of Alabama has caused several issues for homeowners, business owners, and farmers – increased forest fires, interruption of winter planting cycles, stressed plants, lack of water, etc. However, another problem that may have occurred due to the drought is foundation damage.
When the soil becomes extremely dry, it will shrink. This shrinkage causes the soil to settle and shift. If the soil under your foundation settles, the above home will settle as well. This can cause cracks to form in your walls or ceiling and gaps to appear between the walls and the floor. Soil shifting that results in voids forming under your foundation can cause the slab to settle unevenly or to shift to one side. This movement can also lead to exterior foundation cracks, interior cracks, or gaps and spaces opening in your home. If any of these problems occur in your home, you may see
The more cracks and gaps that form in your home, the more susceptible your home is to water entry. This is just one of the problems that can affect your home if sudden spring rains occur during a drought. Erosion can also become an issue if significant precipitation occurs, as sudden rains will wash away dry soil instead of soaking into the ground gradually. This water can leak into your home or put pressure on your foundation.
Protect Your Home from Water Seepage Caused by Drought-Related Foundation Damage
Here at Affordable Foundation and Home Repair, there are a number of things that we can do to reduce the chances of moisture damage in your home. A few solutions that we offer to repair drought-related foundation damage and protect your home from water entry:
- Repair Foundation Problems: The first step in protecting your home is to fix the foundation problems that are making your home susceptible to water leaks. This means repairing foundation cracks and leveling settled foundations. We offer several underpinning solutions to complete these tasks efficiently and affordably.
- Ensure Proper Exterior Waterproofing: The next step is making sure that you have adequate exterior waterproofing to reduce the surface water that collects near your home when it rains. This involves gutters, drainage wells, and various surface drainage techniques to keep water from pooling near your home.
- Invest in Interior Waterproofing: Investing in an interior drainage system composed of drainage pipes and channels that connect to a sump pump system may be wise. This system will catch any water that seeps inside through cracks and remove it from the home to prevent water damage and mold growth.
- Encapsulate Your Crawlspace: Make sure that your crawlspace is protected from water seepage by installing a vapor barrier. Our crawlspace encapsulation with premium vapor barriers helps to keep water outside the area to prevent mold growth and other issues.
If you see cracks or other signs of foundation damage that may have resulted from the recent drought conditions in your home, call us now. Our team will work to repair your foundation and ensure it is equipped to handle rain and water seepage.