Spring is here and with it comes not just lists of things to do, but lists of lists. Spring cleaning. Preparing the garden. Fertilizing the lawn. But in the frenzy of spring activity, don’t forget your foundation. Spring is the perfect time to give your foundation a checkup – the blanket of snow is gone and the flowers and trees have yet to bloom, giving you a clear view of your foundation, and surrounding area, inside and out.
First, walk the perimeter of your house – look for any cracks or damage in the cement of your above-ground foundation that wasn’t there before. Clear away any leaves or debris that may have accumulated over the winter so you can get a clear view. If you have window wells, make sure they are clean and in good shape. Take a good look at the grading of the land around your foundation as well. Has it fallen away? Is there any standing water settling against your house? Is the land sloping towards your home instead of away from it? These are signs that you may need to contact us and/or a landscaping contractor to fix the problem.
Once you’ve checked the foundation, have a look at the rest of your house’s exterior. Take a look at door frames and windows to make sure things haven’t shifted and there any spaces in the caulking. Make sure your gutters and downspouts are clean and in good repair and your roof is free from any obvious damage.
Now that you’ve given the outside perimeter the once over, it’s time to move indoors. If you have an unfinished basement it’s obviously much easier to see if something is amiss, as any cracks, leaks or foundation damage will be in plain sight. If your basement is finished, look for any signs of moisture on the walls and floor. This can include physical wetness, bubbling or peeling paint, or any warped door frames or flooring, which are all signs of a possible foundation crack or leak.
If anything looks out wrong with your house, inside or out, give us a call. Our team at textured terrains will make sure that any April showers stay on your gardens and out of your house.
