The Impact of Yard Flooding on Your Home Foundation

When your home’s foundation suffers damage, the entire structure is at risk of deterioration. This is particularly true for homes that are prone to flooding. The residual moisture from heavy rainfall or standing water can significantly impact your foundation, potentially leading to structural issues. Here are six common hazards you should be aware of.

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   Mold or Mildew Growth

Protecting your foundation from excess moisture is essential to preventing mold or mildew growth. These fungi thrive in warm, moist conditions. If your lawn has standing water, nearby landscapes can transfer mold or mildew spores from the water to your home’s concrete foundation. Luckily, a professional restoration service has the safety gear and cleaning solutions to scrub these spores off the concrete before they spread.

2. Cracking Concrete

Excess water can push against the walls of your foundation, leading to erosion of the concrete and causing cracks in the foundation walls. If you spot small hairline cracks, keep an eye on them and fix any cracks that get bigger over time. It’s important not to overlook these cracks, as the entire wall might eventually need to be replaced. As cracks deepen, rainwater and soil moisture can enter your home’s interior. A professional contractor can use durable polyurethane foam to fill the cracks and create a barrier against water seepage.

3. Water Damage

If water gets into the basement or any other ground-floor area, it can quickly cause damage to different parts of the house. Water can enter through cracks in the foundation wall, gaps around window frames, or other openings. Once inside, the water can damage concrete surfaces, weaken wooden frames, or create electrical hazards. Your foundation is crucial in preventing these problems, so inspect your home regularly, fix any issues promptly, and improve indoor air circulation to keep the environment cool and dry.

4. Bowing Walls

Heavy rainfall may lead to moisture damage even when standing water is not near your foundation. When the soil becomes saturated, it can cause flooding in your yard and put pressure on the lower foundation walls, causing them to bow inward. To prevent this, you can use helical tie-backs or wall braces, but it’s better to minimize the risk of yard flooding in the first place.

5. Foundation Shifts

Soil expansion can impact more than just the foundation walls; it can also lead to heaving beneath the foundation floor. Heaving occurs when soil expands unevenly, causing one side of the structure to rise while the other sinks. Over time, this can result in cracks or fractures in the foundation. To prevent this, you can insulate the foundation or adjust the soil grade around your home to make it more stable. Additionally, a restoration expert can install or adjust underground piers to help stabilize the foundation floor and make it less susceptible to movement.

6. Exterior Erosion

The effects of yard flooding begin outside your home. When rainwater accumulates, it can cause erosion to the exterior concrete siding, making the interior more susceptible to water damage. Moisture can also wear down window seals, doors, and other wood framing. Additionally, water pressure can loosen the soil around your home.

If these issues are not addressed, heavy rainfall can result in severe flooding near your foundation walls. Experts suggest extending the gutter system’s downspouts to redirect water away from potential entry points into your home to prevent erosion that leads to foundation damage.

Respond Immediately to Foundation Damage

When you notice standing water in your lawn, inspect the foundation for bowing, cracking, or shifting. Then, schedule a professional repair service before the problem worsens. Otherwise, this damage can compromise your home’s structural integrity.

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