One of the perks of being a homeowner is the opportunity to design your outdoor landscape any way you choose. While landscaping options may seem endless, it’s important to take your house’s foundation into consideration when making these plans in order to avoid unwarranted damage. The two main factors that could cause damage or impact the fortitude of your foundation with regards to landscaping are: water and root systems.
The Effect of Water on Your Foundation
While it is important to frequently water your foundation in Texas, too much watering could cause issues that could lead to foundation cracks due to the swelling of the terrain that is receiving the most water. This is especially important for homes in Dallas, Fort Worth and the surrounding areas that are known for having expansive clay soil. The amount of water that comes into contact with this specific type of soil can have drastic effects on soil levels that could cause your foundation to become uneven.
Sloping your landscaping downward away from the house is important because it encourages water to drain further from the foundation and can eliminate the threat of water pooling and cause damage. (Tip: the ground should slope 6” down per every 10 feet from your foundation). Mulching can also help with water control.
Root Systems and Your Foundation
Ask any foundation repair company, and they’ll tell you to avoid planting large/durable root system plants close to your home. While some may say it’s okay to plant trees approximately 10 feet or more away, you should consider planting any large trees at least 20 feet away from your home to ensure save root expansion without any risk to your foundation. If your home already has a large tree close to the home, you can implement root barricades to divert them away from your foundation.
And again, going back to expansive clay soils – these types of soils do not tolerate moving roots as well as looser soil does, as it will become more compact instead of shifting to accommodate a root. This could have a serious impact on your foundation and could cause enough movement within the soil to result in foundation damage.
Without taking these landscaping factors into consideration, you put your home’s foundation at risk. If you are using a landscaping service it’s important to discuss with them the different foliage they are planning on installing as well as watering systems/techniques that would minimize the risk of damage to your foundation. If your foundation has already suffered damages due to incorrect landscaping design or overwatering, contact HD Foundations today.