When doing renovations or repairs to your house, you will probably need to engage a variety of specialists to finish the job. For example, a plumber you hire might have to enter your home’s subterranean space in order to do their work, and they might unintentionally do something that compromises the stability of your home’s foundation. In this blog post we will provide you with the major considerations important for your home. These considerations should be kept in mind before anyone and we mean anybody who begins digging about in your crawlspace or interfering with your concrete foundation. So keep reading this blog till the end to gain a better insight.
1. There is a lot of weight on your foundation.
In the United States, the typical single-family house can weigh anywhere from 150,000 to 350,000 pounds, including the foundation. The term “load path” describes how your home’s weight is distributed to the earth underneath it. Anything that modifies this house-to-ground link has the potential to affect the structure’s activity.
2. Some components of your foundation support system are rather brittle.
The homeowner in Texas, Houston unintentionally allow important under-house support to be partially excavated, which weakens the support’s ability to carry the weight of the house.
3. The quantity of digging that can be done is both safe and harmful.
An expert can fairly readily evaluate how much digging is safe to perform versus when one starts to weaken the foundation by upsetting the load route once they have a solid understanding of how a home’s foundation support system operates.
In other words, until you are certain that the person digging under your house knows these fundamental ideas, don’t let them do it as the plumbers are a major offender.
Do you need an expert to examine it? Get in touch with us to arrange an inspection as it can solve all your issues.
Is It Advisable to Plant Grass Surrounding Your Home Foundation?
This part of the blog will answer your question if you are wondering if you should plant around the foundation of your home. A lot of homeowners are unaware of how well-designed landscaping digging may stop water from accumulating around their foundation, which can cause seepage and other structural issues. We have created this part of the blog for that reason! You will discover nine do-it-yourself landscaping projects as well as the negative repercussions of poor landscaping.
Yes, you should plant a garden around the base of your home. Water not flowing toward your foundation can cause hydrostatic pressure, bowing walls, leaks, and structural cracks. This can be avoided with proper grading and yard care. Too much water in your soil can cause a lot of issues. Because of this, it is critical to design your land so that water drains in the desired directions, such as toward swales, dry wells, and gutters.
What Takes Place When the Area Around Your Home Foundation Isn’t Landscaped?
Your foundation and property may be impacted by poor landscaping. There are several problems that can occur, some of the major issues are:
- Problems with your foundation: Water can start to press up against your foundation walls as it accumulates in the soil surrounding your house. Your foundation walls may lean inward as a result of this pressure, which could cause water leaks and structural problems. Water seeping into your foundation can result in the formation of mold, musty smells, and higher humidity, all of which can raise your energy costs. This is true for crawl space and basement foundations digging alike.
- Problems in the yard – Water that pools can attract more fruit flies and mosquitoes, who like to construct their nests and deposit their eggs in still or stagnant water. It’s likely that you already struggle with mosquito bites if you live near water or in a humid environment. Additionally, standing water might result in dead vegetation and plants.
Is It Advisable to Plant Grass Surrounding Your Home Foundation?: 9 Tips for Landscaping
Landscaping is not an easy task and you need expert advice for this. So, the most important tips are listed below to help you deal with such issues and make the right decision:
- Plant trees far from the base of your building. The roots of a tree may span twice as much as the canopy. Such deep roots have the potential to erode your foundation and absorb all the moisture in your ground, causing settling. Experts in foundation restoration consistently advise planting smaller, decorative trees, such as myrtles or magnolias. Larger trees including oaks, pines, American elms, and willows are advised to be avoided by experts. Installing a root barrier will prevent the trees from growing too close to your foundation if you already have them on your land and don’t want to move them.
- Leave a portion of your foundation visible – The majority of experts advise leaving at least 3 inches of your foundation visible so you can spot any cracks or other potential problems.
- Avoid covering any drains or outlets with plants, flowers, or bushes. Avoid covering any drains or outlets with vegetation. The discharge tube of a sump pump that removes water from your house must be free of obstructions and open.
- Gutter cleaning and extension are important because clogged gutters can cause water to overflow and seep into the ground close to your foundation. Experts advise keeping your gutters clean and inspected as frequently as feasible. Furthering your gutter downspouts at least 20 feet away from your house is advised by experts.
- Mulch your soil: When it gets moist, clay-based soil that surrounds your property may go through a growing-shrinking cycle. During the summer, mulch keeps the soil from drying up and helps retain moisture.
- Gradually grade the land away from your foundation: Within ten feet of your house, the ground should slope at least six to ten inches. This makes sure that water runs off and away from the foundation of your home instead of toward it.
- Every side of your home is surrounded by scenery and water. The soil on one side of your house will hold more moisture than the other if you simply water that side. Experts advise evenly spacing out your landscaping and giving it regular watering.
- Construct a drainage network Experts advise installing a drainage system, such as a French drain or swale, if water collects on your land. Swales are little ditches that help collect water runoff from your land. They can be filled with gravel, rock, or grass. Perforated pipes called French drains gather standing water on your land and direct it into a dry well, swale, or the lowest area of your yard.
- Make sure to properly plan your patios and sidewalks. Water should be able to drain from your foundation through driveways, patios, and sidewalks. Make sure that the new slabs you plan to create are slanted appropriately.
Why Is It a Bad Idea To Plant Landscaping Next to a House’s Foundation
It is important to do proper landscaping adjacent to the foundation of your home. Trees and plants can draw pests, erode your foundation, and create drainage issues if you’re not careful.
Planting vegetation close to a home’s foundation can greatly improve the building’s aesthetic. If done incorrectly, though, it can compromise the building’s structural soundness and necessitate costly foundation repairs in the future.
In order to ensure that the foundation of your home remains sturdy for many years to come, this piece focuses on best practices for landscape design. Follow along as we go over ideas, advice, and recommendations for gardening around a home’s foundation that every homeowner should be aware of.
Even while your landscaping is lovely, it may not be beneficial for your foundation.
Have you ever seen a gorgeously manicured yard and then learned that the owner was having foundation problems? It’s a typical issue. Although landscaping can improve the appearance of your house, it’s crucial to know how it may impact your foundation digging. For instance, invasive roots from trees and bushes can seriously damage the structural integrity of your foundation. Furthermore, hefty hardscaping elements like concrete and big stones can shift soil and result in foundation issues. Therefore, even though landscaping can definitely increase curb appeal, you should be aware of any potential effects it may have on the foundation of your house.
Who Could Assist?
Make an appointment with Foundation MD if water tends to pool on your home and you require expert drainage solutions. We have been evaluating and repairing poor drainage systems and foundation problems all around Texas since years. Our professionals will examine your property, identify the underlying reason for the excessive groundwater accumulation, and provide you with a plan of action to prevent further water damage to the foundation digging of your home. We also provide concrete leveling, foundation restoration, and other services.