Your house doesn’t just sit on the ground; typically, it sits on a pad of concrete with some kind of wooden or metal pilings in place to keep it secure. When installed properly and maintained properly, this foundation keeps your home level and secure. However, there is a very simple way that people are undermining the safety of their homes and causing foundation problems. Folks tend to ignore the functionality of their gutters. It is one of the most common causes of problems with foundations, if not the most common. It is very simple to correct, but once it has done its damage, you’ll need a professional team to help repair your foundation. The efficiency with which your gutters divert water away from your home’s foundation is one of the most important facets involved with protecting your home’s structural integrity.
Gutter Problems
Gutters catch the water that hits your roof and redirect it away from the edge of your house. Most houses don’t have foundation problems in Houston, TX; they actually have soil problems. When soil gets wet, it tends to shift and move with the flow of the water. It can even compact and solidify in some areas. When that happens, your foundation is undermined. The point of a gutter is to divert water away from the soil at the foundation of your home so that it doesn’t turn into mud and create problems. However, many people don’t have adequate guttering on their homes.
Gutter Solutions
Your gutter needs to direct water at least five feet away from the base of your home. The best way to do this is with a pipe that directs the water into a channel, sending it away from your house. Alternately, you could extend your gutter drain pipe out to the necessary five-foot distance. It’s important to create a distance between the edge of your home and any pooling water.
If water has been pooling around the base of your home, you could have some foundation problems in the making. You should call a professional to inspect your foundation and the surrounding area, as they can tell you if any damage has been done thus far. If necessary, they can even perform the required repairs. After the repairs are finished, you should ensure that you prevent water from collecting at the base of your home again. Preventing structural issues to the foundation of your home is imperative to not only feel safe and comfortable, but also to maintain the value of your home in the long run.