7 Expert Tips for Spring Foundation Maintenance

The foundation of your house is a crucial part that you need to keep in check in all seasons.

However, the maintenance and problems related to foundations aren't the same for different seasons; you'll need specified tips for a specific time of the year with particular weather effects.

In this article, we have gathered specialized tips and tricks on the foundation and overall maintenance tips for the spring season. In spring, the foundation faces different problems compared to the previous winter months, and that's why you should read this article thoroughly to avoid any unnecessary problems in this beautiful season.

Top Maintenance You Need This Spring

There are thousands of things you can do to take care of your house foundation in the spring season. We've shortlisted all those tips in this section to help you maintain the foundation quickly and easily this spring.

Inspecting the House Exterior

The first thing that we see isn't the foundation or basement area; it's the exterior parts of the house. So, you need to check for signs of potential damage from the exterior components, like shingles, walls, roofs, exposed columns, frames, etc., first.

If you see any water spots, cracks, stains, bubbles, etc., on the walls or other components, it usually means the plumbing lines got damaged or have water leakage that can potentially harm the foundation. Also, if you see the walls, chimney, roofs, window, or door frames tilted or bowed, you need to check with a professional to see if the foundation is fine.

Inspect Basement

You need to inspect the basement and crawl space on a regular basis, as the structural parts near the ground are the most vulnerable. If you see signs of potential damage in the basement parts, like leaks, stains, bubbling, crumbling, cracks, etc., you need to call a professional and solve the issue without any delay.

Seal Cracks

When the seasons change, it makes the ground move due to temperature fluctuations. Also, when spring rain occurs regularly, it can make the structure and foundation weaker and result in cracks in walls, foundations, tiles, roofs, floors, frames, and any other structural element. When the house tilts or settles due to the damages, it can form cracks too.

You need to check for cracks everywhere to prevent any serious damage by sealing the cracks. However, sometimes cracks happen when the humidity is too low, and these cracks aren't dangerous. That's why we determine the main cause of those cracks and solve them according to the professional advice in that situation.

Clean Drains

After the harsh winter ends, the components of your drainage system, like downspouts, pipes, and gutters, become clogged with leftover grime and trash. Also, many parts can become loose or severely damaged. If you don't clean and fix the drainage system, it will damage the whole plumbing system and eventually the basement and foundation after heavy spring rains.

So, make sure to check for any problems regarding the drainage issue. Also, ensure that the drainage components, like downspouts, aren't draining water close to the foundation, as it can damage the structure severely. So, redirect all the drainage a bit far from the house.

Decrease Water Pooling

The pooling of water in the basement area can cause serious damage to the foundation and overall structure. That's why it's crucial to check and fix the problem as soon as possible. There are various reasons why water pooling happens, and the solution to them also varies.

One of the reasons for water pooling is when the ground gradient is sloped towards the foundation and water accumulates near the basement. You'll need to grade the slope away from the house and install a French drain to divert water from the foundation.

Other reasons behind water pooling are broken pipes, blocked drains, potholes in the ground, excessive rains, watering in garden areas, etc. Before the spring rains become regular, ensure you fix the drainage system, level the landscape, and stop over-watering your garden area. You can also use a waterproof covering around the foundation for rain.

Tree Care

Trees are important for our environment, but they can directly or indirectly damage your foundation if you don't take much care of them. Overhanging branches of big trees near your roof can clog the gutter, drains, and pipes. Also, most large trees have invasive and strong root systems that can change the ground structure and damage the foundation.

However, that doesn't mean you need to cut down all the trees or stop planting. You should trim the branches that can potentially clog the drainage system and put a thick root barrier around the foundation to prevent root penetration.

Install Devices

For different problems, you can install and use different devices to prevent and fix the particular problems. For example, if you want to prevent water accumulation and pooling near the basement area, you can install a good sump pump. A sump pump also helps if the area is prone to flooding after heavy rains.

Not just water; excessive moisture can also damage the foundation, increase mold growth, and cause insect problems inside the house. To solve this problem, you can install moisture barriers in the crawl space and dehumidifiers. Moreover, installing vents in the basement will provide enough air circulation to keep the humidity level within standard range.

You can use backup power sources for the installed devices. When a power outage happens, specifically after a catastrophe, these backup sources can help prevent or minimize foundation damage in those situations. But ensure to install good-quality devices, not the cheapest ones.

Foundation maintenance isn't too hard if you do regular inside and outside inspections. Every weekend, you can relax and check for signs and check if different devices of house improvement are working properly. Also, it's better to hire a professional to do an overall inspection after every season ends and solve problems according to local building codes.

If you're in the Kansas City area, reach out to PierMagic's team for an honest and affordable foundation repair assessment. 816-765-4800