Basic care goes a long way toward protecting your foundation. The key is consistent water management around your home. Clean gutters, a proper grade, clear window wells, and well-watered soil during drought are the simplest ways to extend the life of your foundation.
Below, our team explains how each one works and why we recommend it to every homeowner.
Simple Maintenance Steps to Extend Foundation Life
Most of the work that protects a foundation is general homeowner maintenance. The goal is water management, which means directing water away from your house so it does not collect against the foundation walls.
As foundation repair specialists, our team focuses on water management first. Here are the four areas that matter most.
Keep Your Gutters Clean
Gutters collect runoff from your roof and carry it away from the foundation. When leaves and debris clog them, water spills over the edges and lands right next to the house.
Tip: Clean your gutters on a regular schedule so water keeps moving where it should.
Maintain a Proper Grade Around Your Home
The soil along every exterior side of your foundation should have a good, proper grade. This slope helps rainwater and snowmelt flow away from the house so it does not pool near the walls.
Check the grade along each exterior wall, including the sides and back of the house. These areas are easy to overlook.
Pro Tip: Gutters and grading work as a team. Clean gutters move water off the roof, and a proper grade carries that water away from your foundation.
Protect Your Window Wells
Window wells sit right against your foundation, so they deserve the same attention as your gutters. You have two good options here.
Keep window wells clean. Leaves, dirt, and debris build up in window wells over time. Clear them out regularly so water has room to drain.
Add window well covers. Window well covers keep debris out from the start. They are a simple upgrade for homeowners who want less cleanup and better water control.
Need expert help protecting your foundation? Contact Olson Foundation Repair for a free consultation.
Water Your Yard During Drought
Soil moisture around your foundation matters too. How much you water depends on the weather your area gets each year.
Let nature run its course when you can. Our team leans old-school here. When the weather cooperates, we prefer to let nature run its course. Snow and snowmelt keep the soil around your home naturally moist.
The challenge is that, in our area, we have not had much snow lately, and the last few years have brought drought conditions.
Use soaker hoses in dry weather. In dry conditions, soaker hoses help put moisture back into the soil around your house. During a drought, feel free to soak your yard a couple of times a week.
Key Takeaway: In dry conditions, use soaker hoses. During a drought, it’s fine to soak your yard a couple of times a week. When snow and snowmelt return, let nature handle the watering.
Protect Your Home With Olson Foundation Repair
A healthy foundation comes down to a few steady habits that keep water and moisture in balance.
Recap of Our Top Tips
- Keep your gutters clean.
- Maintain a proper grade along every exterior side of your foundation.
- Keep window wells clean or install window well covers.
- In dry conditions, use soaker hoses, and during a drought, soak your yard a couple of times a week.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Small maintenance habits protect your home for years to come.
If you have questions about your foundation or want a professional opinion, request a free consultation with our team. We’re ready to help you extend the life of your foundation with practical advice you can put to work right away.
