Water Damage: How Does Moisture Affect My Foundation?

A common mistake for those who build or buy a home is forgetting about the foundation after it has been set. Because you don’t see it, it is easy to take it for granted that your foundation is in good shape. In reality, there are actually many different things that can cause significant damage to the foundation of your home and leave you with serious problems in the future. One of the most potent causes of foundation damage is moisture. From our water damage restoration professionals at White Knight in Waukesha, below are five ways your home’s foundation can be damaged by moisture. 

Poor Drainage

Poor drainage is one of the most common issues that lead to water damage in your foundation. Usually, poor damage manifests itself in two different ways. First, it occurs when the slope of a yard is graded toward the home instead of away from the home. Yards should be graded away from the home to let gravity do the bulk of the work and move water away from the home. Second, it occurs when the rain gutters are clogged and unable to filter water away from the home. Either way, poor drainage causes water to erode away at the foundation of the home, possibly causing it to crack or settle. 

Plumbing Issues

Plumbing issues are another source of foundation damage. Plumbing issues lead to water flooding around the foundation of the home causing the same effects on a foundation as poor drainage. 

Tree Transpiration

Tree transpiration can damage foundations, but through the lack of water. First of all, transpiration is when trees absorb moisture from the ground. When too many trees are planted too close to the home, they can absorb all moisture and cause your foundation to shift, settle, and possibly even crack. 

Heavy Precipitation

It’s no surprise that heavy precipitation can lead to water damage in your foundation. However, certain factors must first be in play for this to occur. The main factor is that the drainage around the home must be poor. If the drainage is working effectively, then even large amounts of rainwater shouldn’t be a problem. If not, however, even a moderate rainstorm can lead to water pooling around your foundation and causing damage. 

Poor Construction

Issues for a home’s foundation can begin even before the house is constructed. If the contractor skipped or skimped on important steps such as testing the soil, preparing and compacting the soil properly, or designing adequate footing, the foundation may suffer, especially if exposed to excessive moisture or drastic soil expansion and contraction due to weather extremes.

Water Damage In Waukesha

With all these different methods through which your home can be affected by water damage, it is clear why you should be careful to avoid this hazard. Nonetheless, if your foundation or any other part of your home is affected by water damage, don’t hesitate to give us a call at White Knight in Waukesha for our help with the water damage restoration process.