The soil around the foundation of your home is critical to maintain. Most people do not think much about it, though. The foundation is like any other surface. The more water runs across it, the more potential damage there is to the structure. Proper soil erosion prevention can help protect your foundation. This may help you avoid damage to it.
Is Foundation Damage Covered By Home Insurance?
Most home insurance policies do not cover damage to your foundation. More so, if that damage is significant, it can make it impossible for the insurer to provide coverage for your home.
Even when there is coverage for the foundation damage you have, you may find it difficult to make significant repairs. It is always important to simply maintain your foundation. Prevention is much less expensive than repairs.
How to Minimize Soil Erosion
Keeping the soil around the edges of your home tightly up against the structure is important. Walk around the exterior walls. You may notice areas of damage already. Or, you may see areas where gaps form between the wall and the flowerbed or other landscaping. Here are some tips to help minimize these risks.
- Make sure gutters are in place. They should be snug against the side of the roof. If there are leaks or damage to them, make repairs. Gutters are the single most important way to minimize soil runoff. They can direct water away from the home in a controlled manner.
- Keep plants in place. They help to hold the soil in place and minimize any type of runoff from occurring. It can be helpful to keep mulch on them to help reinforce that soil.
- Look for areas of concern and make repairs. First, if you see damage to the foundation, it is best to make those repairs first. Use a licensed professional. If there are gaps between the wall and soil, backfill in the area.
It can also be a good idea to watch how rain moves around your home. Do you notice a specific path that water flows after a rainfall? Does it come down the sides of the home rather than into the gutters? Perhaps it pools in some areas of your landscaping. If these things occur, work with your landscaping professionals to improve the conditions.
Soil erosion is not something many people think about. However, it is an important step to take to protect the foundation.
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