Month: December 2020

You have cracks on your slab, but it has been determined that those cracks are innocent. Every slab will endure some cracking as it settles, but unexpected settling that causes foundation damage has noticeably different cracks. The cracks in your foundation have been determined to not be those serious types of cracks, but should you just leave them?

Even if the cracks in your foundation is not considered one of those problematic types of cracks, it is still a breach in your foundation. Even thin and innocent cracks in a foundation should be treated. When spotted, most foundation contractors should recommend filling any crack with an epoxy mixture just to protect it from getting worse.

The issue you need to worry about with any crack is the addition of moisture. Even though we don’t get too extreme of temperatures in the Dallas Fort-Worth area, moisture freezing inside of a foundation crack can cause it to widen. Furthermore, moisture getting stuck inside a foundation crack can cause mold to grow inside it as well, which can also cause widening.

While epoxy isn’t the only filler for foundation cracks, it is the most flexible. If the filler is too rigid, you could see it degrade after periods of freezing temperatures. This is why you generally want to have foundation cracks filled by a professional rather than just pick any filler you can find off a hardware shelf.

If your foundation has even minor cracks, they should be filled before they turn into major ones. If you aren’t sure if your foundation cracks are a problem or not, we can help with that. Contact us today to see what Steady House Foundation Repair can do to get your foundation cracks patched up and make sure they aren’t an actual problem with your foundation.

The foundation itself is rock solid, but when everything around the foundation is unstable, it begins to cause problems. While soil shifting can happen for a number of reasons. Most commonly, soil shifts and foundation problems occur because the soil around your foundation gets too wet. This can cause erosion and hydrostatic pressure that will cause damage.

The good news is that standard home construction already comes with many ways to prevent excess moisture from puddling near your foundation, but they are not necessarily permanently effective. If you are having drainage issues near your foundation, here are some avenues you can explore to improve drainage.

Landscaping

This the simplest change you can make to help drainage near your foundation. Plants not only absorb water that does fall by your house more efficiently, but plant roots also help stop soil erosion. Landscaping by your home does quite a bit for foundation health, which is one of the reasons it is so popular.

Downspout Extensions

Keeping your gutters and downspouts clear is a good way to promote good drainage, but if you still find water pooling right up alongside your home, you may need a downspout extension. This makes sure the water is ferried further out so it is not right up against your home.

Re-Grading

While you may not see it, the soil starting at your foundation actually gently slopes away from it. This helps naturally promote water to drain away from a foundation. However, over time this grading can wear down, especially if you have had puddling or gutters overflowing in the area. The slope will need to be manually built back up.

Trench Drain Installation

This is the final solution to many drainage issues in a yard. A trench drain, or french drain, is a drain installed underground that collects water in an area prone to pooling, then takes it elsewhere. It can help solve water that just will not stop pooling by your home.

Do you have drainage problems that are causing foundation issues? We can help. Contact us today to see what Steady House Foundation Repair can do to help improve the drainage at your home.