As the spring season approaches with warmer temperatures and longer days, it's the perfect time to get outdoors and tackle those much-needed chores around the house.
You're the best homeowner in Knoxville with a great maintenance game, but have you ever monitored how your foundation is doing? One of the most important spring home improvement tasks is to ensure the foundation of your property is in top condition.
This spring, let experts at foundation repair Knoxville thoroughly inspect your foundation and check its stability with a foundation check-up on your home!
Read the blog for a helpful spring foundation improvement checklist that'll help you maintain your foundation best.
Spring - Best Time to Watch Out For The Foundation Problems
Springtime is not too hot or cold, not too wet or dry. The climatic conditions become just right for a short time to check your home's foundation for any problems. With the air not overly hot, your home will not be going through a lot of expansion. Plus, with the ground not too wet and not too dry, any contraction effects that cause sinking will also be at a minimum. It is the perfect time to take a closer look and identify any issues that may have happened and be able to address them before it is too late.
Thoroughly Inspecting The Inside Home for Foundation Settlement
Foundation settlement can surprisingly appear on vertical surfaces at eye level or higher in your home. To inspect foundation settlement, look around each room of your home and see if any signs, such as diagonal cracks in the drywall, doors not working properly, trim popping or separating from walls, or cabinetry or built-ins separating from walls.
If you notice that cracks open up and close again or get longer, this could be a sign of foundation settlement. Make sure to take note of anything you observe and mark it down, so you know what to pay attention to in the future.
Related Read: Top Foundation Repair Facts Every Homeowner Should Know.
Check Exterior Walls To Identify Foundation Issues
Inspecting exterior walls should also be on your spring home improvement checklist. While it's not something you should worry about, it can give you a good indication of any foundation issues that may have occurred over time. Look out for signs such as mildew, pest damage, and cracks in the walls around windows and doorways. Cracks in these areas could indicate that the house is settling more than usual, which could cause issues later on. Address these problems quickly, saving you from further damage or expensive repair costs.
Clean Your Gutters - A Must-Do To Maintain Foundation Condition
Gutters and downspouts help keep water damage and leaks at bay. That's why it's crucial to ensure your gutters and downspouts drain is in working order so that they can direct water away from the foundation of your house.
Clean each gutter and downpour of any fallen leaves, branches, and other debris to ensure that water is draining correctly away from your home's foundation. Any water pooling near the foundation can lead to serious damage over time, making your home sink lower and settle unevenly.
Read More: The Importance of Gutters and Drainage.
Test The Irrigation System & Catch Early Warning Signs
Checking each irrigation zone and sprinkler head is also a must if you want your home's foundation to stay safe from water damage. Test the system, adjust any misdirected sprays hitting the patio or house walls, and look for broken or cracked heads that need replacing.
Start Building Up The History Of Your Foundation's Condition
The full story of your home's foundation starts on the day you take this spring tour and document what you see. A historical perspective is needed so that later on, you can feel certain that any changes or progressions are real and not just a figment of your imagination. Check if the settlement of the foundation is more recent or had quickly and suddenly occurred, or if it's been the same for years.
Take clear pictures of any visible signs like wall cracks or leaning walls so that you can compare them to later inspections and identify any changes more easily.
By starting this documentation process, you can stay informed and take action when needed to save your home from extensive damage and expensive repair costs.
Observe Annually - A Sure Shot Way To Avoid Foundation Troubles!
Now that you better understand the signs, you might think, what's next? The only thing you need to do is observe your home's foundation annually. Doing this will help keep nasty surprises at bay and ensure that any crack foundation repair or maintenance you're doing on the house is done timely and correctly.
Wrapping Up
Homeowners often find themselves in a difficult situation when assessing and repairing foundations. From determining the extent of foundation damage to understanding the work that needs to be done, much information must be processed. But don't worry foundation repair Knoxville experts can help you navigate these issues accurately and confidently! Whenever you find yourself ready to work on your foundation, you can count on us to provide reliable and comprehensive services and ensure your home remains stable and secure.
