5 Ways Landscaping Can Harm Your Foundation

While the aesthetics of landscaping are crucial, it’s essential to also think about how it can affect your entire home, especially your foundation. Unbeknownst to many, poor landscaping decisions can lead to significant foundation damage. To avoid this, we have put together a guide highlighting the 5 most frequent landscaping mistakes that harm foundations. Make informed decisions to ensure your home’s beauty and stability.

Foundation Elevation

Poor foundation elevation leads to problematic drainage which can significantly harm your home. Proper drainage is essential for preserving dry wood floors and drywall, as well as safeguarding the foundation and crawl space. To avoid these issues, make sure there’s proper grading around your home to direct water away from it, rather than allowing it to sit there.

Keep large trees far from your home to avoid root-related problems. Trees can also alter the soil and, together with drainage issues, can harm the foundation. Don’t neglect the other sides of the foundation in landscaping, not just the front yard. Although the front yard is crucial for its curb appeal, it’s necessary to secure the foundation from all sides for optimal protection.

Plant Beds

Plant beds are an attractive addition to a home. To keep them functioning correctly, proper maintenance is required. Landscapers should ensure that the plant bed has an accurate grade to prevent drainage issues. Using mulch can help maintain the plant bed’s health by storing water during heat and redirecting excess water away from the home. Avoid edging the mulch and flower bed to allow proper water drainage.

Pooling Water

If you have spots in your yard that have depressions they are probably holding excess water. This water will kill the plants and grass around it. It will also create soft spots in your yard if left too long. To avoid pooling water a proper drainage solution should be implemented. This can be an underground system such as a French drain or deep well, or you could even create a channel or swale to hold the water. Using plants and stones either of the latter solutions can be a beautiful addition to your landscaping.

Concrete Surfaces

Water retention on concrete surfaces can cause damage. Sidewalks, driveways, and walkways in homes should be designed with proper runoff in mind to prevent water pooling. A lack of proper grading can cause water to accumulate, weakening the concrete’s integrity and moving water toward the home foundation. In cases where grading isn’t possible, retaining walls can be used to redirect water away from the foundation. Effective runoff management is crucial for maintaining the longevity of a home foundation.

Gutters and Downspouts

Gutters play a crucial role in proper home drainage by directing roof water into downspouts and away from the home foundation. Clogged gutters can lead to water overflowing onto the home or pooling near the foundation, putting it at risk. To ensure proper gutter function, regularly clean and inspect them. If water is draining too close to the home, consider installing a gutter extension to move the water at least six feet away from your home.

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    AAA Foundation Service

    It is critical to consider the impacts of landscaping design on your home. If you live in the Houston area and notice signs that your foundation may be shifting or having an issues, there is only one call to make. Trust the professionals of AAA Foundation Service to provide honest information about your foundation issues and how your landscaping may be playing a role with the issues you are facing. Call us today and we will get you setup with an in-depth inspection, free repair estimate, and a list of solutions.

    Chris Bartlett
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