In many areas across the United States, spring and fall are the rainy seasons, which can create issues with the structure of your foundation. Once winter rolls around, the time for exterior home projects is usually on hiatus until the ground warms up in spring. Discover how to prepare your home’s foundation for fall so that you can relax in the winter. By getting your home ready for the change in seasons, you decrease the risk of foundational issues that often result from water damage.
Keep Debris Away From Your Home
In the fall, most homeowners take time to rake their yards and clear away debris. However, keeping the areas surrounding the foundation and your gutters clear is a vital task for you to complete this time of year. Why? Because they act as a line of defense when storms hit your area, allowing water to drain away from your home correctly. Unfortunately, clogged gutters can create problems when it rains in the fall or if piles of snow build up in your systems during the winter.
Clean Your Gutters
Clogs in your gutters could cause water to overflow them, pool in the area surrounding the foundation, or seep into the soil. Both instances can lead to cracking and other forms of damage to the foundation. In addition, all that water may end up pooling around your home, and the soil will absorb it. If this occurs, that dirt will expand due to the moisture. As a result, this places pressure on your foundation, potentially causing cracks.
Sump Pumps: Another Line of Defense
Your home should have a drainage tile and sump pump since these systems help eject water away from your home and foundation. Fall is the time to ensure this system works properly. These typically run off electricity, but many industry experts recommend having a backup battery system that’ll work in case you lose power. Check the batteries and ensure the sump pump flushes out water appropriately. If you have concerns about this system, call a waterproofing expert for their opinion on the system.
Check for Cracks
Another way to get your home’s foundation ready for fall is by checking for and repairing major cracks. First, walk outside your home to check for cracking along the exterior portion of your foundation. Afterward, do the same in your basement or crawlspace. As you inspect your home, search for both obvious cracks and hairline fractures, as both could lead to issues if you don’t repair them. Ignoring damage won’t make it go away, and if it grows, it could cause other problems with your home.
In a worst-case scenario, this could lead to sagging along your roof or cracks along your walls and ceiling. Your foundation is the base, so issues here can compromise the overall structure of the building.
Signs That You Need a Foundational Repair
Some of the most common signs that there’s a problem with your foundation include:
- Cracks in brick or concrete
- Doors sticking
- Uneven flooring
- New struggles when using windows
If you notice only a few hairline fractures, you don’t need to call a professional yet. However, most experts highly advise you to monitor these small cracks and contact a repair company if you notice things worsening.
Is Repair Expensive?
Often, this is one of the first questions homeowners ask regarding repairs. You want to do the job right, but unexpected, major blows to your monthly budget can feel jarring. There’s no set price for foundation repair since the cost depends on how much work experts need to do. The top thing to look for is a quality foundation repair company that doesn’t see this as “just another job.” This is your home, and you want an expert who will give you peace of mind and take the time to do the job right the first time.
Fix This Problem ASAP
This is one type of home repair you need to fix as soon as possible. If your foundation begins settling, there can be increased safety concerns since the structure is no longer as sound as it once was. Additionally, this decreases the value of your home and can come with a list of heavy repairs to the foundation, doors, roof, and more.
Call the Crack Guys
Contact the Crack Guys if you need an expert for foundation home repair or want a quote on repair pricing. We’re a foundation repair company that works in Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi that homeowners can count on to do the job right!
Waterproof the Basement
Now’s also the time to waterproof your basement and crawlspace if you haven’t already done so. This helps protect the area against water damage. Water can collect in your basement if there are cracks or other problems with your foundation or basement windows. Leave waterproofing to the experts so that they can identify what types of waterproofing you need for your home. Some types of waterproofing include:
- Installation of sump pumps
- Adding French drains
- Interior waterproofing
- Basement waterproofing
Waterproofing allows you to limit the moisture levels in your basement and crawl space. Doing this also helps reduce the growth of mold and mildew, flooding, and other types of damage.
Give Your Home a Final Once Over
You don’t always need to inspect the foundation of your home to find damage; you can spot issues by evaluating other key areas. For instance, look at your roofline. Is it sagging? If so, this could signify other cracks or problems with the foundation. Also, search for cracking along ceilings, floors, and walls; doors that don’t stay shut are another sign. It’s always easier to deal with a problem early on, so never ignore these home symptoms. Then, give all areas of your home a final check or call an expert for their professional opinion.
So why do all of this in the fall? Melting snow creates water-related issues in your home, and combining that with spring showers could be a recipe for disaster! Inspecting your foundation in the fall and immediately taking care of problems makes it easier to prevent water damage in your home.
