It's not unusual that northwest Louisiana can experience some pretty extreme weather events that can affect the stability and integrity of your house. One of the most common culprits of foundation problems is uneven soil beneath your home that can that ultimately cause an inequitable distribution of weight to other areas of your home. Unstable and unsafe conditions are likely to result where foundation problems emerge. There are some ways homeowners can preserve their property and possibly prevent these issues.
SECRETS TO MAINTAIN YOUR SLAB FOUNDATION
1. Ensure proper drainage around your home. Draining is essential to the soil'ss stability and one of the leading causes of foundation issues. Make sure water is not pooling around the foundation, or that any downspouts direct water away from the foundation, or installing a French drain, or creating a slope in the ground around the home.
2. Seasonally monitor your foundation and plumbing work. As the season progresses, your home may experience various changes, creaks, and leaks in your plumbing. Note the date and time you found the issue and describe what's happening. If it appears to be more than a cosmetic issue, contact a foundation company.
3. Place trees in proper areas. While trees provide lovely shade for the house, it is often unwise to plant then too close the house. The roots of trees and large shrubs may tunnel far underneath your home in search of water, causing stress and cracks on your walls and foundation or damage plumbing. There has been several cases we've see where tree damage from storms significantly adjusted the foundation because the tree was too close to the house. You can plant trees and shrubs close enough to the perimeter of your home where they are unlikely to cause interference with the slab and use additional protection by installing root barriers.
4. Consister Moisture Levels. If the moisture around your home is too inconsistent, it will cause to have uneven soil. This is partly because soil expands when it becomes saturated with water and contracts or shrinks when dry, allowing shifting to happen to the house and ultimately causing cracks and other foundation problems. Additionally, keeping the temperature inside your home consistent will also prevent the concrete below from expanding or cracking because the inside is not subject to any extreme temperature swings.
At Stable Home Foundation Repair, we understand the soil conditions and weather of northwest Louisiana and the ways they adversely impact the integrity of your home's slab foundation. Although we are based in Shreveport, Louisiana, we also service surrounding areas. We are always happy to take a look at your foundation if you have noticed concerns that you'd like to have addressed!
Contact us if want a free foundation inspection at (318) 207-5974.
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