5 Landscaping Tips To Prevent Foundation Damage
Landscaping your yard is one of the best things you can do to improve your home’s appearance and potentially increase its worth. However, you’ll want to consider the impact on your foundation when making changes to your outdoor space. For example, some trees in Salt Lake City have extensive roots that can cause soil movement under your home, increasing the risk of foundation cracks.
Here are five ways to protect your foundation when landscaping and the steps to take if landscaping has already damaged this part of your home.
1. Add Mulch To Flower Beds
Using mulch in your flower beds ensures the soil around your plants retains moisture. As a result, the soil will be more likely to absorb excess water from rainfall during storms, protecting your foundation. Mulch is also useful for soaking up water from snowfall, which happens frequently during the winter here in Salt Lake City.
Too much mulch can suffocate plant roots and even encourage pests and rodents. Aim for two or three inches of mulch for flower beds.
2. Clean Gutters and Downspouts
When landscaping, remember to clean dirt and debris from gutters and downspouts to stop water from overflowing and saturating your yard. You’ll also want to ensure gutters are draining away from your property and not near it. If this happens, water can pool around your foundation and seep into your home.
Cleaning gutters may be time-consuming and dangerous if you have a multi-story home, so you might want a professional to do it for you.
3. Avoid Planting Trees Too Close To Your Home
A tree can change the entire look of your yard and add some shade and privacy. However, you’ll need to consider where to place it to prevent foundation damage.
Several trees in Utah, such as the silver maple, have extensive root systems that can extend under your home and cause soil movement. Over time, this movement may cause your foundation to crack, shift, or settle.
Clay-based soils in our area, including blue clay, might make soil movement worse. These soils expand and contract in different conditions, exerting pressure on your foundation.
4. Slope Flower Beds Away From Your Foundation
While flower beds can add color and texture to your yard, make sure they slope away from your foundation and not toward it. Otherwise, water may accumulate near your foundation when it rains or snows.
A landscaper with grading experience can help you here. As a result, you can protect your home from water damage.
5. Install a French Drain
A French drain is a trench dug into your yard that collects excess water and moves it away from your foundation. Normally installed at the perimeter of your yard, it contains a perforated pipe surrounded by gravel, allowing water to flow to a drainage area.
Also, consider a French drain for your basement to stop water from entering this part of your property. This is one of many interior waterproofing solutions that can protect your home’s structural stability. Other options include sump pump systems and dehumidifiers.
When You Need Foundation Repair
If previous landscaping choices have caused foundation issues like cracking and settling, you’ll need the help of an expert like Groundworks.
Our foundation repair solutions include piers that can stabilize this structure from unstable soil to more stable soil or bedrock under the ground. Helical piers and push piers are examples of foundation piers.
Trust Groundworks To Repair Your Foundation
Making wiser landscaping choices may prevent foundation damage and preserve your home’s value. However, if you already have foundation cracking, settling, or shifting, you’ll want to work with a professional as quickly as possible.
Serving Salt Lake County, Groundworks specializes in custom-engineered foundation repair solutions, helping you reverse any damage caused by landscaping. Get in touch with our team to find out more.
Landscaping FAQs
Yes, proper grading, installing proper drainage, and strategically placed plants can improve drainage and direct water away from your foundation.
Minimally. One small section of the wall anchor system will have to be placed below the ground in your yard. However, this won’t require intense excavation like other types of foundation repair.
Inspect ceilings, walls, and around windows and doors for any water stains, drips, or visible leaks.
