One of the leading issues that causes foundation issues is water. Water damage, moisture, and humidity can all lead to costly foundation repairs. If you have started to notice some issues around your foundation, or even in your basement, here are some steps you should consider. These are the three things to check to avoid costly foundation repair and keep the moisture and water issues at bay.

Drainage Around the Home

The first main issue is the drainage around your home. If the drainage around your home is not suited for the soil, you could be experiencing issues. The main issue with drainage is the soil not expanding properly when it takes on water. If the soil is not expanding properly, then water will begin to pool on the soil and around the soil. This pooling of water can lead to water standing near the foundation, causing the area to remain wet.

If the area remains wet, it can cause a breakdown of the foundation and lead to costly repairs. Check and see if water tends to pool after it rains. If it does, consider having drainage ditches placed or have an irrigation specialist come in and help with a new irrigation plan to move water away from your home.

Soil Erosion

You may notice some spots around your foundation where there is a lower soil level than other areas. If you are seeing issues in your basement or with your foundation, such as cracking, then see if it corresponds with the area of low soil. If it does, this could mean that you have low soil in that area and soil is eroding and moving under the foundation. As the soil moves and erodes it can cause a shift in the foundation. This shift leads to cracking and damage. If you believe soil erosion is an issue, contact your local contractor. They can test the soil and depth to see if there is an issue. If there is, they can offer you options to fix the issue and help prevent further damage.

Tree Line Issues

You may not think of your tree line connecting to water issues and your foundation. The truth is, the root system can help hold soil in place during heavy rains. Trees and tree roots can also help with irrigation and moving water away from the home. If the trees are uprooted, or the root systems are damaged and moved, then it could cause issues with the soil. The next heavy rains can cause the soil to shift even more and lead to pooling water. The results can lead to damage in the foundation itself. If you have recently moved trees from the area, contact a landscaper to help bring in fill dirt to the area to help stabilize the soil and irrigation.

If you still find you are having moisture and water issues after you have taken these three things, contact your local foundation repair contractor. They can perform a consultation and assessment. This will help you determine what issues are causing problems for you and what you can do to help prevent damage to your foundation.