11 Landscaping Mistakes That Could Lead to Foundation Damage
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While good landscaping can increase your home’s curb appeal and create a peaceful outdoor retreat, you may not know that bad landscaping choices can cause big problems with your foundation. Not only is a cracked or shifting foundation expensive to repair, but it can also lead to serious structural problems for your home.
That something as innocuous as your garden can cause your foundation to shift, sink or crack is a sobering thought. The good news? You can still have a gorgeous yard and protect your home by avoiding common mistakes. Here are a few of them.
Improper Grading
If your yard slopes toward your house, you’re asking for trouble. Grades that are not done properly let water build up around the foundation of your house and can cause cracks, leaks, or even basement flooding. If puddles are forming in your yard after a rainstorm, it may be time to regrade your yard.
Ignoring Drainage Issues
Water is sneaky. Excess water can pool around your home without you even realizing it, if you don’t have proper drainage systems in place. Gutter, downspout and French drains can be used to redirect water away from home–defending your foundation. Always check out the drainage setup as well when you’re outside admiring your flowers. It only takes a few extra minutes to save you thousands in repairs down the road.
Planting Shrubs Too Close to the Foundation
Although trees are bigger than shrubs, shrubs can be a risk if they are planted too close to your home. Their roots, like trees, can disrupt the soil around your foundation and the moisture they hold can add to soil expansion and contraction. Plant your shrubs at least a few feet away, giving your foundation some breathing room.
Adding Too Much Soil Near the Foundation
You can easily assume that adding more soil around your home will help to make a solid, level yard. But piling too much soil near the foundation can trap moisture against it, which can cause water damage. Heavy, water logged soil over time can also lead to the extra pressure on your foundation and can lead to cracks in your foundation. It’s a little like squeezing too hard on a sponge; if you squeeze too hard, the moisture has to go somewhere, and it might be inside your house.
Piling Leaves and Mulch
While leaves and mulch are great for keeping your garden neat and your plants hydrated, they can also hold water around your foundation. If you have organic material such as leaves or mulch that is decomposing, it keeps moisture that filters into the soil and will eventually affect your foundation. Mulch makes a cozy bed for trouble, so leave a few inches between mulch and your home’s foundation for proper airflow and drainage.
Overwatering Your Plants
Your foundation may not love all the water you’re giving to your garden. When the soil around your house is too full of water, it expands. The soil shrinks as it dries up, causing pressure and movement that can hurt the foundation. It’s a little like blowing up and deflating a balloon. Watch how much you’re watering, and don’t accidentally drown your foundation along with your plants. Or you can explore Xeriscaping.
Incorrect Installation of Patios or Walkways
A nice patio or walkway can be the perfect finishing touch to your yard, but if it’s done incorrectly, it can channel water right at your home. You don’t want a path that funnels water right to your foundation! Be sure to slope any hardscaping projects away from the house to keep water from pooling and causing eventual foundation damage. It’s a simple fix and can save you from big headaches later on.
Downspout Extensions Are Neglected
A short downspout is a sneaky, subtle cause of foundation problems. If your downspouts deposit water right at the base of your house, that water will saturate the soil near your foundation. After time, it can cause the soil to shift enough to create cracks. Make sure your downspouts run a few feet away from your home. It’s a small investment that can save your house from serious damage.
Planting Trees Too Close to the House
The front yard shaded by a big, beautiful tree is a look that’s easy to love. According to Rogue Tree Solutions, trees are wonderful but planting them too close to your house can spell disaster for you and your foundation. Tree roots don’t just go down; they spread out searching for water, sometimes several feet beyond the canopy. Those roots can cause soil shifting, cracks, or even push against the foundation when they get too close to your foundation. If you really want trees near the house, select smaller species and plant them at least 20 feet away.
Larger Root Systems Overlooked
Some large plants have extensive root systems, which can affect soil stability in foundation areas. Although they might be beautiful in your garden, they could be wreaking havoc underneath. If you are going to plant anything with a deep root system, do some research to find out how far those roots will spread.
Wrong Types of Materials Used
According to Foundation Systems of Michigan, you can also damage your foundation by choosing the wrong types of materials for your yard. Heavy concrete slabs, for example, place extra pressure on the soil while certain types of mulch may hold more water than others. When you are choosing walkways paths, patios, or garden beds, think about how these materials might factor into your moisture problems near your foundation. A little forethought today can save a lot of mess tomorrow.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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