How can a solid concrete foundation strong enough to support the weight of your entire house be affected by mere water damage? Let's count the ways. The fact is, some form of water damage is implicated in the most common causes of foundation issues that eventually may require extensive, expensive repairs.
Here are three ways a foundation can be compromised by water damage, as well as ways to prevent it:
Hydrostatic pressure. When soil surrounding the home's foundation becomes deeply saturated by water from any source, the weight and mass of the soil are substantially increased. Soggy soil is no longer solidified and thus presses heavily against the foundation structure. This combination of heavy, over-saturated soil and strong inward pressure can trigger water damage to foundation walls ranging from small leaks to deformation of the wall and major fractures.
Long-term deterioration. Concrete is a porous material. The continuous presence of water contacting the foundation gradually permeates deeply into the concrete, degrading the composition of the material. In freezing weather, damage may be greater as water that has penetrated concrete pores freezes and expands, causing the concrete to swell and deteriorate more rapidly.
Sinking and shifting. Water beneath the foundation may slowly wash away supporting soil, causing the foundation to shift. As the foundation no longer provides solid support, signs of structural damage may appear inside the house such as sloping floors, doors that no longer close properly, and cracks in ceilings and walls.
To prevent water damage that affects the foundation, here are some suggestions:
- Grade soil surrounding the house away from the foundation so standing water does not soak into the ground. In chronic cases of water damage, a French drain system may be buried around the perimeter of the foundation to carry away subsurface water accumulation.
- Keep roof gutters clear to prevent overflow that penetrates deeply into the ground adjacent to the foundation. Install downspout extensions to release water at least three feet from the foundation.
- Install a sump pump in the basement floor to remove groundwater causing upward pressure against the underside of the foundation.
