Dealing With Water Damage In Greater Charlotte

Water Damage & Compromised Foundations

Compromised foundations are at a higher risk of suffering from water damage in the Greater Charlotte area. A solid foundation keeps your home sound and sturdy. A compromised foundation puts the entire house is at risk for damage. The problem is water can be found all around your home’s foundation. It can collect from burst pipes, rain, and over-saturated soil. As excess water and moisture builds up around the foundation, it causes increased pressure on the walls, which can increase the risk of cracks, meaning water and moisture will be able to leak into the home.

Here are some ways you can keep excess moisture away from your home and reduce the risk of water damage.

1. Grade the area around your house to slope away from the foundation. The area around the foundation of your home should slope at least 6 inches away. Adding dense soil can help achieve the proper grading if your ground needs increased grading. Without proper grading, water will run towards the foundation. When water pools at the base of your home the foundation started to crack and wear down, becoming susceptible to water damage. 

2. Keep gutters clear. Blocked gutters can also become a hazard. Leaves and debris can cause water to pool in your gutters, causing potential clogging. Blocked gutters can lead to water damage through standing water seeping to weakened areas of your roof or foundation. To keep buildup from collecting inside your gutters, you should clean them out at least twice a year (once in the spring and again in the fall). 

3. Make sure downspouts are not damaged and pointed away from your home. Downspouts were created to prevent water from pooling near the base of your home. If your downspouts are not channeling water at least 10 feet from your home, add extensions to ensure that they are effectively leading water away from your foundation. 

4. Inspect the wall of your home and foundation for cracks on a regular basis. As time goes by, the foundation of your home will settle. As the foundation settles, cracks are prone to appear. It’s detrimental that cracks larger than ⅛ inch should not be dismissed. Small cracks can be sealed with caulk, while larger gaps can be sealed with hydraulic cement. Any deteriorating mortar joints should also be corrected to avoid letting water into your home.

5. Schedule an annual inspection for your roof. Broken, loose, or missing tiles or shingles could cause water to trickle down the sides of your home, instead of into the gutters. Keeping your roof maintained will greatly decrease the risk of water flooding or pooling around your foundation. 

6. Install or maintain a sump pump. Sump pumps were designed to help prevent excess water from building up on the basement floor. Without proper installation or maintenance, the sump pump can become prone to failure. A properly functioning sump pump ensures extra protection against water damage to the foundation and basement of your home by draining excess water into a sewer system. 

The best way to prevent water damage from threatening your foundation is to ensure proper drainage near and around your home. Following these steps will help keep water from collecting around your foundation, and keep it safe and strong. That being said, water damage may not be 100% avoidable. If you do find your home in need of water damage restoration, whether from foundation issues or anywhere else in the home, Restoration 1 of Greater Charlotte is ready to take your call. We can restore any type of water damage regardless of the source, and will be sure to get the problem resolved as quickly as possible.