The following is good advice for new homeowners and established homeowners alike. Following these tips can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in potential foundation damage, as well as the headaches and complaints that come with it.
It is critical for the homeowner to try and maintain even and uniform moisture content around your home. Uneven moisture content could cause one part of your home to move at a different rate than the remainder of the home. For this reason, in periods of drought, it is important to water completely around the foundation, and to maintain proper grade and drainage so that excess water runs away from the house. In some situations it may be necessary to install perimeter perforated drain lines to remove this water. Similarly, your foundation should be protected from large trees, particularly hard woods. These trees have massive root structures and can cause substantial upheaval. Design Tech Homes recommends a minimum of ten feet separation from canapy of tree, although more is better.
Exterior concrete should always be watched for areas where water is accumulating next to and potentially under the concrete. Water under the concrete can cause cracking and depressions. Cracks and separations at expansion joints should be filled with a concrete silicone caulk. Care should be taken to avoid heavy vehicular or equipment travel on your flatwork. It is designed to carry the load of typical passenger vehicles not dump trucks, concrete trucks, etc.
I personally observed this last example in action a couple of years ago when our neighbor hired a contractor to repair some brick damage to their house. The brick was repaired nicely but when the concrete truck left, it had busted up a corner of the driveway from the weight it was unable to support. Don't let this happen to you. Also, watch out for your neighbor's tree that is encroaching your property. You might want to get together now to discuss ways to avoid potential damage from the tree's roots rather than wait and ask for compensation after the fact. Good communication makes good neighbors. For more tips on caring for your home, go to www.DTH.com/index.php/hotips
