6 Concrete Slab Foundation Maintenance Tips
Following the basic rules of concrete slab maintenance can help you to protect your North Texas home from costly foundation damage. Important steps include:
- Watering your yard.
- Promoting good drainage.
- Using care when planting trees.
- Installing a root barrier.
- Having your pipes inspected once a year.
- Making sure your property slopes away from, not towards, your home.
Let’s look at these important steps one at a time.
Dry Soil Can Hurt Your Foundation
As dirt becomes parched, it shrinks away from your home’s foundation, weakening the support it receives from the surrounding earth. Keep your yard moist in the dry summer months by using a soaker hose or lawn sprinkler system. Remember to follow state and local rules regarding water use.
Saturated Soil Can Also Damage Your Foundation
Saturated soil can hurt your foundation by applying pressure that causes it to shift or buckle. Here are two ways to avoid this problem:
- Keep your gutters in good shape – clean them at least twice a year and repair or replace them as necessary.
- Install landscaping drains – to channel rainwater away from your home’s perimeter. Underground drains are a good choice since they have little or no effect on your yard’s appearance.
Why You Should Use Care When Planting Trees
Trees add beauty and shade to your home’s exterior. But they can also sap away crucial moisture that’s essential for your foundation’s strength.
A good rule of thumb is to never plant a tree closer than 20 feet from your foundation. If in doubt, then ask the staff at the nursery center about the tree’s root size and moisture requirements. In general, small ornamental trees are less likely to cause damage.
Consider Installing a Root Barrier
A root barrier is an underground shield made of either metal or plastic. It extends approximately three feet beneath the ground and prevents roots from growing towards your foundation. Consider having a barrier installed, especially if you have trees or large bushes near your home.
Have a Plumber Inspect Your Water Lines Every Year
Leaking water lines can cause water to pool underneath your foundation, eroding its support and affecting the entire structure of your home. Ask a licensed plumber to inspect your plumbing system at least once a year, and keep an eye out for problems in the meantime.
Keep Your Property on the Right Grade
The property surrounding your home should slope away from your foundation and towards a sewer, stream, lake, or other central collection point. If it doesn’t, then you should have it recontoured as soon as possible. A grading contractor can help.
Foundation Problems? Get in Touch With Us Today
Following these concrete slab maintenance tips will go a long way towards protecting your foundation and your home. But sometimes all the precautions in the world aren’t enough to prevent damage from occurring.
If you find yourself in that situation, then call us today for a free quote on concrete slab foundation repair. We serve a wide range of Dallas-Fort Worth slab foundation repair service areas and our work is backed by a top-of-the-line lifetime transferable warranty.
