Before constructing the walls and topping it off with a roof, your house began with a sturdy foundation. So as you personalize the inside, build a backyard, and invest in other home improvements, you mustn’t forget about maintaining this integral part. Here are some ways you can safeguard your home’s foundation.

How to Protect Your Home's Foundation

1. Keep Trees & Shrubs Away

Trees that hang over your home are likely to clog your gutters. Down below, trees and shrubs will seek nutrients underground. As a result, they may fight to pull water from the soil around your foundation. If the soil is extremely dry in some places and wet in others, this can create instability. The best way to protect your foundation is to keep large plants closer to the edges of your lot, far from the home itself. 

2. Maintain Your Drainage System

If your gutters get clogged with leaves, bird’s nests, or outdoor toys, the rainwater and melting snow won’t drain properly. Instead, the water will fill up and spill over the sides, pooling around your home’s perimeter. This might sneak into your home, causing water damage to your basement. It could also saturate the soil around the foundation, turning it into unstable mud.

To prevent your foundation from shifting and cracking, it’s crucial to inspect your gutters and downspouts regularly and make sure that water is being directed out into the street or the far limits of your lawn. If your gutters seem to sag or leak, schedule home improvement services to have them repaired right away to prevent foundation cracks.

3. Invest in Waterproofing

If you’re still concerned about your home’s vulnerability to the elements, you may want to treat the issue at its source. By investing in foundation waterproofing, you can rely on professionals to install a moisture-proof barrier around your home’s base. This will protect your foundation from shifting and potentially cracking, but it can also limit the risk of water damage and mold growth in your basement.

If your home has already suffered foundation damage, turn to Naugle Construction Company for help. This Columbia, MO, business has over five decades of home improvement experience, including repairing foundations, and is proud to remain family-owned. With their reliable team on the job, you can safeguard your home and implement tools to prevent further damage, such as new drainage solutions. To learn more about their offerings, visit the website or call (573) 474-9444.