Prevention for a Block & Base Home
- These foundations should NEVER have any water ponding or flowing under or adjacent to the structure
- The soil adjacent to the structure should have a positive slope moving away from the house.
- Gutter systems with 10' extensions or drain pipes on the downspouts. Gutters today are hardly noticeable, they match the exterior. The most important note is the extensions on the downspouts or having a drain system installed so that the downspouts empty into them.
- The soil adjacent to the structure should be lower than the soil under the house. You do not want water to get trapped under the house, should there be a plumbing leak.
- Water your lawn, trees, & flower beds not your foundation. Over the years we found that people would focus on watering the foundation and it caused more problems. For instance, one of the problems was that it attracted the root systems of the surrounding vegetation towards the structure.
- We do not advise the use of French Drains near or adjacent to these foundations. If they are installed incorrectly or are not properly maintained, they will attact & hold water.
- The crawlspace should not be exposed to the elements (rain, wind, etc.) so some type of solid skirting with sufficient ventilation should be installed (lattice is not considered solid skirting)
- Vents should be installed in the skirting directly across from one another as to allow proper air circulation. If there are no vents or they are blocked off, too much moisture will build up & cause wood rot or a high growth of bacteria which can cause a bad environment for the foundation & anyone in the structure.
Doing everything you can to ensure the longevity of your foundation, will give you peace of mind. Now even if you do all the preventative maintenance for your home, there is no guarantee that it won't move at all. You may still experience minor movment, but that is still better than having structural damage occur.