At K-Guard, we’re passionate about preventing foundation damage. Afterall, it’s kind of our job. While we specialize in installing leaf free gutter systems, the whole point of our K-Guard Gutter System is for water to flow freely throughout your entire gutter system and for said system to direct water to flow away from your home’s foundation.
If you’re a homeowner then you’ve heard the warnings: water collecting around your foundation can cause water damage, keep water away from your home’s foundation, make sure your gutters are properly draining water away from your foundation, etc.
But do you know why it’s so important for water to drain away from your home’s foundation? Continue reading to learn all about foundation damage and how to prevent it.
What Exactly is Foundation Damage?
The term “foundation damage” seems self explanatory, but it’s actually complex. In layman’s terms, foundation damage is damage that occurs to a home’s foundation, but there are actually different types of damage that can occur depending upon the following: type of foundation, materials, warning signs, and causes.
Foundation damage can cause many serious issues for homeowners including cracks in foundation, leaning or tipping, foundation upheaval, and so on. While there are many different types of foundation materials, we’re going to be focusing on the most popular foundation material for homes: concrete.
Now that you’re aware of what foundation damage is, we’re going to explain what causes it and how you can prevent it.
What Causes Foundation Damage?
There are many different things that can cause foundation damage. Here are just a few:
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- Soil conditions
- Slab foundation issues
- Improper drainage
Soil conditions are one of the more common causes of foundation damage. Soil moisture is ever changing, especially here in the Heartland. Our winters are harsh with accumulating snow that eventually melts while our springs bring heavy rains and our summers bring thunderstorms that produce a lot of rainwater. Because we experience many different types of extreme weather conditions, the moisture in our soil is constantly changing; hot summers can cause soil to shrink while melting snow can cause soil to expand.
Slab foundations, while being a quicker option for most builders, can lead to structural damage depending upon how they’re poured and compacted. If a builder doesn’t properly compact each layer of soil once it’s added then the slab may not be supported correctly, leading to possible foundation and structural damage.
Another cause of foundation damage? Improper drainage of meltwater and rainwater. Think about it: if a gutter system fails to collect and direct meltwater and rainwater away from a home’s foundation then the water will build up over time. Standing water that collects around a home’s foundation can cause damage like mold, cracks, unwanted pests, and even structural damage. Just another reason why a properly working gutter system is crucial when it comes to preventing damage to your home.
How can I Spot Foundation Damage?
While the causes above can happen to any homeowner, it’s relatively easy to tell if you have any foundation damage as well as to identify the type of foundation damage you may have. To determine whether or not you have foundation damage, walk around the perimeter of your home and examine the foundation and inspect each room in your home including the basement.
When examining the exterior of your home and the foundation, look for cracks in the foundation. If you notice any, especially horizontal cracks, it’s time to contact a foundation repair company.
To examine the interior of your home you’ll want to look for signs of damage in the basement and rooms around your home. Search for cracks, gaps around window frames and walls as well as gaps around exterior doors. If you notice any issues be sure to contact a foundation repair specialist.
How can I Prevent Foundation Damage?
Now that you’re aware of what causes foundation damage, let’s discuss how you can prevent it from happening to your home. One of the best ways to prevent foundation damage is to ensure that all water drains away from your home’s foundation.
How can you ensure all water drains away from your home’s foundation? By installing a K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System. Our larger sized downspouts allow for rain and snow/ice melt to be pushed even farther away from your home versus traditional gutter systems, aiding in keeping your home’s foundation safe.
Our leaf free gutter system is the most durable and cost saving on the market. It’s the only gutter system in Kansas City to use the most durable and corrosion-free aluminum for any leaf free gutter system!
What are you waiting for? With everything that can go wrong with improperly draining gutters and downspouts, now is the time to make the switch to K-Guard, especially entering the rainy season. Call (913) 380-1616 to request your free estimate today.
