There are lots of reasons why cracks and leaks might appear in a property, some more serious than others, and unless they’re dealt with as soon as possible they can end up leading to costly repairs. The best thing to do as a homeowner is implement measures to avoid the cracks and leaks in the first place. Here are some tips from a foundation solutions company…
Inspect Your Property for Damage
First of all, it’s important to inspect your property on a regular basis so that you can look out for signs of damage and get them dealt with early. Start at the top of your house by inspecting the roof. Your roof tiles are designed to keep out the rain and generally protect your home from the elements, so be sure to check your roof and replace or repair any damaged or missing tiles. You should also check your guttering and ensure there are no blockages. Leaves and other debris can get stuck in your gutters and then rainwater spills over onto your walls, which can lead to leaks.
Protect Your Foundations
When a property’s foundations shift underground, cracks can appear in the building above. With this in mind, you should take precautionary measures to protect your building’s foundations. When the soil around your home becomes too dry in the summer months, it shrinks, and the foundations can move into the newfound gap. So, during summer it would be wise to use a sprinkler system to keep the soil moist. Likewise, in the rainier months, the soil can become too damp and expand, putting pressure on the foundations. Make sure you have adequate drainage on the property to prevent this from happening.
Here are some signs that there might be problems with your building’s foundations:
- Your doors are jamming or not staying closed
- Your windows are sticking
- There are cracks appearing around the doors and windows, or where your walls meet the ceiling
- There are cracks appearing in your patio and/or driveway
If you are worried that there might be some serious structural damage to your property or you’re struggling to mend a crack or leak, don’t be afraid to contact a professional for some help. You may have to spend some money to get it sorted, but this will be far more affordable if you deal with the problem right away rather than waiting until it gets too severe.