Home insurance does not always cover foundation damage. It may not cover some risks to your home caused by a damaged foundation either. That’s why it is so important to protect this area of the home. It is the base of the structural integrity of your property. Yet, many people do not think much about it until they hope to file a claim. Here are a few things to do to ensure your foundation remains stable.
Have an Inspection to Start
One of the first things you should do is to have the foundation inspected by a licensed technician. Often, an annual or biennial inspection is best. You need to know about any areas of concern as soon as possible – long before actual problems begin to show up, even.
Keep Your Gutters Working Well
Clean and maintain your gutters. While they may not seem to be an important part of maintaining your foundation, they tend to be the underlying cause of damage for some homes. For example, when leaves block your gutters, the rainwater pours over the sides. It pushes the soil away from the foundation, exposing it. This added water then wears down the foundation, making it more likely to have cracks or water problems. Your gutters need to be able to direct water away from the home.
Address Any Type of Crack or Gap
Small hairline cracks may or may not need any type of treatment, but your technician will be able to spot any areas of concern. You want to be sure to look for these on your floor in your basement, but also along the bottom of interior and exterior walls. Your technician will point these out, but any time you notice a crack or gap on your foundation, recognize the importance of fixing it. This includes sealing it properly, and keeping it up to code.
Add Soil to the Exterior
The best way to prevent damage to the foundation is by ensuring soil compaction around the exterior walls. A good goal to achieve is to have the soil along your home about six inches higher than the yard. This encourages proper drainage away from the home.
Manage Humidity
Use your air conditioner to keep humidity levels low. This is a very important step in ensuring the foundation does not absorb that moisture. If it does, it could weaken or rot it overall.
Proper protection to your foundation means ongoing effort. Simply make sure you check out your foundation annually to look for concerns that need attention. Contact us for a Florence SC homeowners insurance quote.