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To make repairs last, the property owner must change the
conditions that caused the problem. Soil swelling can
usually be stopped by cutting off the moisture supply.
Plumbing leaks are major causes of soil swelling. If water
leaks do occur, they must be repaired immediately to prevent
damage to the foundation.
Poor
drainage near the foundation is another cause of soil
heaving. The owner may have to regrade his lot to make sure
rainwater drains away from the foundation. Downspouts for
gutters should carry water well away from the foundation and
there should be no places where water ponds near the house
during rains.
In dry
periods, the soil adjacent to the foundation should be
watered to maintain constant moisture. Proper watering is
critical as the purpose is to keep the soil water content next
to and under the foundation at approximately the same
moisture content.
The
use of a soaker hose is most often the best solution and the
soaker hose should be used 24" to 36" from the house. In many
cases homeowners have waited too long before watering and
cracks have already occurred in the soil. In many cases
starting a watering program at this time is too late.
July, August, and September are when cracks in the soil
often appear. You want to have initiated a watering program
long before this so the cracks do not appear.
Some
of the other maintenance issues:
 Drainage
-
it is very important that ground surface water drains away
from the foundation. Surface water should never be allowed
to collect around the foundation. Annually inspect the
ground from the foundation out at least five feet
immediately following a rainstorm. If there is water ponding
against the foundation, this situation must be corrected by
regrading the area.
Downspouts should be directed away from the house,
and the water should discharge 3-4’ away from the house at a
minimum.
Vegetation-
Understand the types of trees you have planted near your
home. Certain trees have extensive shallow root systems that
remove water from the soil. The Department of
Housing and Urban Development suggests trees be planted no
closer than their ultimate height. Plants with large,
shallow root systems can grow under a shallow foundation
and, as the roots grow in diameter, produce an upheaval in
the foundation beam.
Observation-
During times of excessive moisture changes you
must inspect your foundation and note movement
signs
that signal a problem. Don’t let early warning
signs go unnoticed. Call
Moran Construction and find
out if you have a problem that should be corrected. Not all
problems are disastrous. They may only be a signal of
something that can be corrected with increased watering or
root barriers at a tree. Acting
early can save you money.
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