Landscaping and Foundation Repair
/ By Chase Gohl / Foundation and Landscaping/ 0 Comments

7 Tips for Landscaping Next to House Foundation

From increasing curb appeal to making your yard more usable, landscaping has a long list of undeniable benefits. That said, if you’re going to be landscaping close to your home, it’s important to watch out for
mistakes that may damage your house’s foundation on over me. The last thing you want is a long list of costly repairs to undermine that long list of landscaping benefits.

In this guide, the professionals here at Align Foundation Repair provide 7 expert tips for landscaping next to your house foundation. Not only will these tips spare your foundation on from damage due to bad landscaping choices—they’ll also show you how to better preserve your foundation, as good landscaping can actually protect a foundation in the long run.

Read on to learn how to landscape the right way for your foundation, and book your free estimate with our foundation on repair experts today!

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Protect your foundation before your landscaping even starts. Contact Align Foundation Repair for recommendations.

Checklist for Landscaping Next to House Foundation

Here are seven tips for proper landscaping around your foundation.

Plant Trees Away From Your Foundation

As far as foliage for landscaping goes, trees are the biggest and baddest choices out there. Take a moment to think how tall and wide they can grow above-ground. (They often need trimming and pruning in order to protect power lines, roofs, and other property.) Now, apply that same size and growth rate to what’s going on underground.

That’s right: the root systems of certain tree species can be as large as their above-ground branch systems. These massive root systems can grow under your foundation, causing major damage as roots grow in all directions in search of moisture. Avoid trees that extract a lot of water from the soil, as this is bad for your foundation.

To avoid any interaction between root systems and your foundation, it’s a good rule of thumb to plant smaller trees at least 15 feet away from your house and larger trees at least 20 feet away from your house.  You can also choose trees with shallow, less-expansive root systems, including:

  • Japanese maples
  • Umbrella trees
  • Redbud trees
  • Weeping willows
  • Lilac trees
  • Dogwood trees
  • Most pine trees
  • Most fruit trees

Make sure you leave some of Your foundation exposed

Excess moisture is one of the biggest of enemies of a home’s foundation. To mitigate, it’s a good idea to give your foundation some breathing room—literally.

By leaving a few inches of your home’s foundation exposed, you’re promoting air circulation, which can go a long way in regulating the moisture levels in your soil. This will help ensure that your foundation is never bogged down with excessive moisture, which can lead to a number of problems, including erosion, mold, and pest infestations.

As an added benefit, leaving a bit of your foundation exposed will allow you to inspect it at any time. This will give you insight into any potential hazards or small issues—allowing you to address them before they become big problems.

Watch out for drains or outlets

If excess water is the enemy of your home’s foundation, your drains are excellent defenders against it. That’s why it’s important to let them do their job—and not let your landscaping get in the way.

If there is a drain in your yard, it’s there for a good reason. Covering it with plants can restrict drainage which contributes to foundation damage. Covering it with dirt or mulch is even worse, as it will restrict water flow even more. Worse of all is covering any drain with pavers or other solid features, which all but eliminates water flow and can lead to flooding, pooling water, and oversaturated soil—all hazards for your foundation.

Improve your gutter system

Continuing on the theme of water—a short review of the water cycle will quickly reveal another source of trouble for any foundation: precipitation. When rain or snow hit your roof, they eventually drip down to the base of your home, where they can seep into your foundation and cause major problems.

To stop the seeping before it even starts, keep precipitation away from your foundation by installing a high-quality gutter system. This is a tip that transcends landscaping itself—and it will pay dividends by keeping your foundation in great shape for years to come. Here are a few guidelines for making your gutter systems the best it can be.

  • Use gutter extensions to push water at least 6 feet away from your foundation (best to take to street or alley)
  • Install underground downspouts to carry water further out and away from your home
  • Keep your gutters free of dirt and leaves (clogged gutters lead to excess water, overflow, and pooling water)
  • Check for any holes, gap, or leaks while cleaning your gutters and repair them as soon as possible

Mulch your flower beds.

By this point in the guide, we’ve made it clear that excessively wet soil is bad news for foundations. What you may not know is that excessively dry ground can cause its own host of problems. In summary: excessively dry soil will shrink and if not properly covered with some sort of ground cover may lead to erosion.

So, how do you keep the ground around your foundation properly moisturized? Landscaping is the answer. (And yes, this is yet another case where proper landscaping can actually help protect your foundation.) To moisturize your soil and safeguard your foundation, is water with sprinklers, soaker hose, drip irrigation, mulch and landscape.

Mulch retains moisture and will be beneficial to both your plants and your foundation in the summer months by preventing the soil around your property from becoming too dry. It’s a good idea to reapply every few years, as even mulch can move or dry out over time. Han scaping is more permanent and is not termite food.

Make sure flower beds slope away from your foundation

Whether you live in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area or elsewhere, it’s vital to ensure that the grade of your property isn’t adversely affecting your foundation. Before we get into our grade guidelines, here’s a quick review.
In simple terms, the grade of a piece of land refers to its slope. (In fact, the words “slope,” “incline,” “mainfall,” “gradient,” “pitch,” and “rise” are all frequently used to refer to grade, so you’ve likely encountered the concept before.)

For the purposes of preserving your foundation, you want a grade that guards against erosion in all its forms. (Again, improving your grade is a landscaping choice that help protect your foundation in the future.)

Here at Align Foundation Repair, we recommend having a minimum of a couple inches per foot or a drainage system may be needed. This will enable water to move away from your foundation and help prevent against pooling.

Water evenly in non-landscape areas.

Excess moisture is bad for your foundation. Excess dryness is bad for foundation. An imbalance of both? Bad for your foundation. If you’re going to be watering your yard, make sure you water primarily around the foundation and everywhere—not just the landscaped areas. Here’s why.

If only one section of the yard is landscaped, the soil on that side will expand because it’s likely to be watered more often. Soil expansion can lead to foundation cracks, which can lead to hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in repair costs. To prevent this unwanted expansion (and cost) water uniformly wherever possible.

An added tip for the Dallas-Fort Worth area:the expansive clay soil in the region is best watered moderately but routinely. Use deep-rooted plants, as shallow-rooted plants could erode over a short period of time. Consistency is key!

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If your landscaping is damaging your foundation, contact Align Foundation Repair for a free estimate.

Learn More and Contact Our Dallas Foundation Repair Experts

Choose the North Texas foundation and drainage repair experts you can trust. Contact Us today if you would like more tips for landscaping around house foundation in Dallas, or you’re concerned that your foundation may be damaged. We can schedule a free inspection and give you even more advice on landscaping, maintenance, and foundation repair in Dallas-Fort Worth.

 

/ By Chase Gohl / Foundation and Landscaping/ 0 Comments

These 6 Landscaping Practices Hurt Your Foundation

Lush and vibrant plants, shrubs, flowers, and trees around your home dramatically enhance curb appeal. However, some landscaping practices can hurt your foundation, impacting its structural integrity and leading to costly repairs.

Our skilled team at Align Foundation Repair offers a variety of foundation repair services to address foundation defects. We also provide homeowners with some smart landscaping tips to help stop problems in the first place. Accordingly, we recommend avoiding the following to keep your foundation intact.

1: Planting Too Close to the Home

The roots of trees and plants will grow and expand beneath the ground. When plants are too close to a home’s foundation, these roots soak up much needed moisture and cause settling. That’s why homeowners must situate new plantings away from the foundation. For instance, new trees should be as many feet away from the home as their height upon reaching full maturity.

2: Overwatering Plants

Plants need water to thrive, but too much can negatively affect their growth and your foundation. Drainage problems on your property exacerbate these issues, as the soil will absorb excess water and heave against the concrete foundation. Along with using the correct amount of water on your landscape, you must address drainage issues to repair puddling and pooling.

3: Improper Gutter Maintenance

Your rain gutters can also cause an excess of moisture within the soil. If they become clogged, water will likely flow out of the basin and collect in the soil surrounding the foundation. Along with regularly removing leaves and other debris from them, trimming trees around your home can stop the gutters from clogging and ensure they properly divert water from the property.

4: Problems with Grading

Improperly graded soil can bring water back toward your foundation instead of sending it away from the property. Grading issues can quickly lead to foundation damage, but creating a downward slope can prevent it. While it depends on the layout of your property, grading issues can often be remedied by adding more soil or reducing the soil that already surrounds your home.

5: Not Leaving Enough Foundation Exposed

It’s recommended that homeowners leave at least six inches of foundation exposed, meaning this area should not be covered by soil or plants because the concrete is constantly exposed to moisture. Over time, this moisture will wear down the concrete and possibly allow water to flow into your home if sizable cracks and defects develop in the foundation.

6: Choosing the Wrong Trees

In addition to planting new trees a safe distance from your home, you should also avoid some specimens known for having invasive roots. This includes trees like willows, magnolias, and maples, which can have a destructive effect on properties due to their accelerated growth rates. When choosing new trees, avoid those with aggressive root systems to keep your home intact.

Contact Align Foundation Repair for a free consultation

If you’ve already experienced issues, now is the time to contact us. By scheduling a free foundation consultation, you’ll know exactly what steps to take to keep your home surrounded by plants and trees while maintaining the integrity of your home.

Tree roots in cobblestone
/ By adminrm / Foundation and Landscaping/ 0 Comments

Which Trees Cause the Most Damage to Foundations?

Trees make a lovely addition to any landscape, but certain species can pose problems for a home’s foundation, especially when planted too close or without root barriers. As roots encroach on the foundation, a pressure imbalance may eventually cause cracking, settling, and other potential damage.

Here in Texas, property owners should be aware of fast-growing trees with shallow roots that grow laterally, which can cause many foundation problems.

Poplars

Growing up to 100 feet tall, Poplars are beautiful trees that are often favored by gardeners and landscapers. They are highly adaptable to clay soils and require very little in the way of pruning and maintenance. The problem with these trees is that they have very shallow and fast-growing roots that move laterally across the soil. Cottonwood, white poplars, Carolina poplars, and Lombardy poplars can be particularly hazardous to foundations when planted close to existing structures. Planting at least 30-50 feet away from the house can prevent future problems.

Oaks

According to one study on tree root foundation damage, Oak species account for 11 percent of all foundation problems cited by property owners. Live oaks, Shumard red oaks, chestnut oaks, and other species have shallow roots that leach large quantities of nutrients and water from the soil. Root barriers can redirect tree roots away from plumbing lines and foundations, preventing costly damage down the line.

Ash

Tall and graceful, ash trees produce large, domed canopies of delightful shade in hot Texas summers. Unfortunately, they also have sprawling root systems that can span upwards of 30 feet. Their thirsty roots are expansive and can cause shifts in the foundation if left unchecked.

Other Trees That Can Cause Damage

Other fast-growing trees with shallow roots that can prove problematic for foundations include:

  • Norway maples
  • Silver maples
  • Black locusts
  • Honey locusts
  • Sycamore
  • Sweetgum
  • Boxelder
  • Norway spruce
  • Crimean pine

If roots are already invading your foundation and causing problems, don’t hesitate to reach out for a free estimate on our Richardson foundation repair services.

Expert Foundation Repair Richardson TX

Whether you’re worried about tree roots or other foundational problems, it’s important to get a professional opinion on the underlying causes. Wondering if you’re in our Richardson TX foundation repair service area?

Align Foundation Repair serves the entire Dallas-Fort-Worth area, and our workmanship is backed by an industry-leading warranty. Contact us today to arrange a free estimate.

Tree root and green grass
/ By adminrm / Foundation and Landscaping/ • • • / 0 Comments

Tips to Help Prevent Root-Related Foundation Damage

Tree and shrub roots can spread throughout your foundation, weakening its structure and causing it to fail. Roots can also drain the soil of needed moisture, causing the earth itself to move your foundation out of place. These problems can reveal themselves as unlevel floors, doors or windows that stick, or an unpleasant musty odor throughout your home.

There are several ways to help protect your foundation from root-related problems. But sometimes the harm has already occurred. If this sounds like your situation, then we urge you to get in touch with us here at Align Foundation Repair and schedule a free inspection from our knowledgeable and experienced professional contractors. Acting sooner rather than later is important, as foundation damage will worsen over time and if left unchecked can be more expensive to repair down the road.

Steps You Can Take to Prevent Root Damage to Your Home

There are a number of time-tested ways to prevent tree and shrub roots from damaging your foundation. These include:

  • Choosing your trees and shrubs with care – in general, it’s better to choose slow-growing plants with minimal water needs. Your local landscaper can provide useful information.
  • Allowing adequate space between your foundation and your trees or shrubs – for example, hardwood trees should be planted at least 20 feet from your home. Again, your local landscaper or garden center provide advice on specific plants.
  • Installing a root barrier – this is a flexible shield constructed from polyethylene (HDPE) that encircles the perimeter of a tree or shrub. When buried or driven into the ground, it directs roots downward and away from your residence.

How Roots Can Make Foundation Repair in Richardson TX Necessary

Here are three ways that tree and shrub roots can pose a threat to your home’s foundation:

  1. By drying out the earth around your home – trees and shrubs use a lot of water. For example, a mature oak tree can require 50 gallons of water a day or more to stay healthy. By drawing this moisture from the soil around your house, they can cause the foundation to expand and eventually crack.
  2. By shifting the soil – tree and shrub roots can also change the distribution of dirt around your home, causing your foundation to either heave upward or sink deeper into the ground.
  3. By digging into the foundation itself – you can think of tree and shrub roots as subterranean spear points that are constantly probing your foundation for weaknesses. Eventually, they will find their way into existing cracks or create new ones altogether, spreading weakness throughout the entire structure.

Foundation Repair Contractors Richardson Texas

If your home is experiencing structural problems, here’s how our foundation repair contractors in Richardson, TX, can help:

  • By getting to the “root” of the problem – we’ll use our decades of training and experience to find out exactly what’s going on with your foundation.
  • By providing a no-obligation quote for your consideration – so you’ll have the facts you need to decide if you want to proceed with repair work.
  • By helping you to explore financing options – we’ll do everything possible to make your Richardson foundation repair affordable.
  • By backing our work with our ironclad guarantee – giving you the peace of mind you need to relax and focus on other priorities.

For foundation repair Richardson TX homeowners can depend on, choose the experienced professionals at Align Foundation Repair. Getting in touch with us now will help you to avoid expensive and stressful problems later. If you live in our Richardson foundation repair service area, give us a call or reach out to us online today.

/ By Chase Gohl / Foundation and Landscaping/ • • / 0 Comments

Tips to Prevent Soil Erosion Around Your Foundation

Even the sturdiest home foundation can be compromised by less-than-optimal soil conditions, which is why soil erosion prevention is so important for homes in North Texas, where rainstorms are very powerful and can erode soil easily. Learn the key steps to home foundation erosion control.

What Causes Soil Erosion?

First, it helps to understand the primary causes behind soil erosion specific to Dallas and surrounding areas. While multiple factors are at work, running water is the leading cause. Even minor flooding can transport the topsoil from one location to another. Similarly, the impact of falling rainwater can cause topsoil to disperse.

Soil erosion creates gaps in the soil, in turn causing the foundation to shift and eventually crack or even split apart completely. In the home, this can create warped or sloped floors and buckling walls.

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Seeing evidence of erosion or foundation damage? Contact Align Foundation Repair for a free estimate.

Now, let’s examine the steps vital for offsetting soil erosion.

Maintain the Gutter System

Remember, water is the leading cause of soil erosion. Keeping puddling water away from the home is of utmost priority. To prevent water accumulation along the home perimeter, be sure to regularly inspect the gutters. Be sure the downspout is pointed at least five feet away from the house. Also, gutters that are sagging or pulling away from the walls require professional attention. Finally, climb up a ladder and remove physical debris from the gutters at least twice a year.

Install a Ground-Level Drainage System

French drains are one of the most common, though other types include channel and surface drains. A technician will recommend the optimal drainage solution based on the layout of your property. A ground-level drain collects water in a basin and transports it to a more removed location.

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Contact Align Foundation Repair for a recommendation for the best drainage system for you.

Strategic Landscaping

Be mindful of your landscaping, which needs to be about function just as much as visual curb appeal. Keep these pointers in mind:

  • Refrain from planting shrubs or deep-root plants too close to the home. The roots can intrude and disrupt the soil.
  • Consider turfgrass like annual rye, which quickly germinates and helps stabilize the soil. Regardless of the grass type, consider using straw and a seed germination blanket to protect the topsoil.

Examine the Slope

You won’t be able to determine the slope angle with a visual inspection alone. A technician will need to determine your property’s current sloping, if there is any. Ideally, the ground should slope away from the home at a 3% to 5% angle for the first 10 feet.

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Need your slope professionally examined? Contact Align Foundation Repair for a free estimate.

We Provide Anti-Soil Erosion Measures

If you notice water puddling around your home, then some degree of soil erosion is likely taking place. Contact Align Foundation Repair for home foundation repair services. A technician will evaluate the foundation’s condition and recommend prevention measures. Our Dallas home foundation service providers will recommend a tailored solution specific to your home type.

Tree root and green grass
/ By Chase Gohl / Foundation and Landscaping/ • / 0 Comments

Can Trees Cause Uneven Floors in My House?

Tree roots can extend to the soil beneath the home and cause shifting that leads to uneven flooring. A tree is far larger than what you can see. There is an entire extensive root system below the soil that can extend for meters. Though the root is out of sight, it shouldn’t be out of mind.

How Roots Can Damage the Flooring

Roots naturally grow in the direction of water and nutrients in the soil. A cracked plumbing pipe near the home can cause water to seep into the soil. This causes the roots to gravitate in that direction.

Contrary to popular belief, the roots themselves don’t cause direct damage. The roots typically don’t have the strength to split the concrete unless the concrete has pre-existing damage. Instead, the root disrupts the soil condition. The root can consume the soil’s moisture and nutrients. This leads to loose soil that is less able to support the weight of the foundation and floor. Soil requires moisture to retain solidity. Without it, soil becomes less compact.

Soil Type Plays a Role

The degree to which tree roots can inflict damage depends largely on the soil conditions. Soil containing heavy concentrations of clay compacts more easily, making it harder for roots to push through it. Soil consisting primarily of gravel and loose dirt, on the other hand, is less compact, making it easy for roots to navigate through. Soil with heavy sand composition is also really vulnerable since sand is moisture-dependent for retaining its solidity.

Some parts of the North Texas region contain soil of the loose dirt and sand variety. This makes uneven flooring from root intrusion commonplace.

What to Do if You Have an Intruding Tree

If you notice uneven or sloped flooring, a North Texas foundation repair expert will need to perform an evaluation to determine the cause. If a tree rests on your property, then it may very well be the culprit. If so, then the tree may need to be removed. When we say removed, we mean uprooted. It is not enough to just cut the tree and leave the stump behind; that means the roots also remain. If the root remains, the tree may be able to resprout.

Should You Remove Your Tree?

Even if the floor is fine, should you be concerned if you have a tree? Multiple factors are in play, such as the soil condition which we mentioned. The tree species matters as well. Some species grow longer root systems than others. Examples of trees with non-invasive roots include:

  • Sugar, silver, and Norway maples
  • Willow trees
  • Oak trees
  • Ash trees

These trees have shallow roots, usually extending only four to eight-inches below ground. Don’t forget, though, that distance matters as well. Trees should be planted no closer than 20 feet within your home, though even this rule isn’t ironclad. Once again, it depends on the tree species.

Have Uneven Flooring? Give Us a Call

Trees on your property may be causing unseen damage. If you suspect problems with your foundation, take action immediately. Contact us at Align Foundation Repair for a free estimate. An uneven floor foundation problem only exacerbates over time if ignored.

/ By Chase Gohl / Foundation and Landscaping/ 0 Comments

Will Foundation Repair Destroy My Landscaping?

Many North Texas homeowners recognize the signs of a settling foundation. However, some hesitate to take action, fearing the process will destroy their landscape. This will hurt the curb appeal they have invested so much in to make their property an eye-turner. The truth is that foundation repair will have some impact on your landscape. There is simply no way around this especially if the work requires excavation. The question is the degree of impact.

As a proud homeowner, you have put a lot of time and energy into maintaining the landscaping. As a result, you naturally want to minimize any damage to it during repairs to the foundation–which is crucial to maintaining the integrity of your home. While being concerned about your landscaping is understandable, structural damage cannot be ignored. However, the good news is that Align Foundation will make every effort to minimize disturbances to your property when addressing significant issues.

What to Expect During Foundation Repair

Keep in mind that there are different levels of foundation damage. When the damage is relatively minor, the impact on your landscaping will be negligible. However, more serious foundation issues may require more substantial work, including excavation.

Your repair specialist will evaluate your property and provide specific details on the type of service you need. In many instances, your home will undergo one of the following repairs:

  • Steel Piling – By implanting a steel pier, the weight of your home can be shifted to it instead of resting on soil that may fail to provide the proper support. This option is reserved for significant foundation damage and offers a long-lasting solution thanks to the strength and durability of steel.
  • Concrete Pressed Pier – Concrete pressed piers are installed underneath structures using hydraulic equipment. Like steel piers, the structure’s weight is transferred to the concrete to prevent the foundation from sagging.
  • Drilled Pier – Drilled piers require excavating a larger hole, which is then filled with a concrete & reserved reinforced steel. This system is ideal for older structures or where space is plentiful and landscape damage is no concern.

How Repair Specialists Minimize Damage to Landscaping

If your foundation requires more extensive services, the goal is to minimize disturbing your trees, shrubs, and flower beds. While methods can vary according to the type of work needed, the technician may utilize one or more of the following:

  • Removal – With smaller trees and shrubs, the technician can typically remove them and place them in a safe area until work is completed. However, we cannot guarantee survival.
  • Relocation – As for flowers and other types of plants, these typically need to be temporarily relocated. Homeowners can remove them before work begins to ensure the technicians have an uncluttered area.
  • Protection – Regarding your lawn, repair specialists can use plywood to prevent it from being trampled.

The Surprising Benefits of Tree Relocation and Removal

Align does not generally recommend tree removal unless it is a major problem. However, removing large trees can benefit your home in the long run, if they are close to your house. The closer a tree is to a house, the more likely the root system will harm the foundation. For example, tree roots can exert stress on concrete and contribute to cracks, which will only worsen over time.

That’s why contractors recommend trees be located at a specific distance to avoid these issues. You can determine this by calculating the size of the tree’s canopy (meaning its leaves and branches) when it reaches full maturity and planting it half that distance from the foundation. For example, a tree that’s expected to have a canopy 40 feet wide should be planted at least 20 feet from a home’s foundation.

Foundation Repairs Don’t Always Disturb the Landscape

There are some instances where your landscape will be mostly unaffected. If you detect damage early on, the foundation may simply have settled or sloped by an inch or two. If you need only minor work, affect is minimal.

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Contact Align Foundation Repair for repairs that won’t disturb your landscape.

What Factors Will Affect Changes to the Landscape?

If damage is severe enough, it may require concrete or steel piers and beams. These need to be installed below the foundation. Naturally, this requires digging. The extent to which this will affect the landscape depends on multiple factors, such as:

  • The degree of concrete damage
  • The size of your property
  • Physical obstructions like tree roots

As a general rule, the excavation work will require a minimum working space of 4-feet beyond the foundation’s perimeter. Anything inside the boundary can get disturbed. Beyond the digging, an area will need to be allotted for displacing the soil from the excavation. Existing foliage may have to be removed to create room for the work to be done.

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Lower the chance of landscape disruption by contacting us early. Contact Align Foundation Repair today for a free estimate.

How to Restore the Landscape

After determining the appropriate remediation steps, the technician will assess ways to keep landscape disruption to a minimum.
Keep in mind that if you have trees or shrubs that fall within the working space, they may have to be uprooted and moved. We must stress though, that this is actually beneficial. A tree that close to your home poses a risk to your foundation. The roots can extend and shift the soil below the foundation, causing shifting that can crack or split the concrete.

Your Landscaping Is in Good Hands With Our Team at Align Foundation

Foundation repair is essential, and a knowledgeable and skilled contractor will leave your home in excellent condition when the project is complete. Contact Align Foundation Repair to learn more about our services and the steps we take to preserve landscaping.