No one buys a new car with the assumption that they’ll be calling a mechanic a few months later. That’s why when you decide to purchase a newly constructed home, you reasonably assume you’re in for many years free of worry. You expect that its ceilings, walls, floors, windows, doors, and indeed its foundation should be in tip-top shape. After all, if the property was just built, why should there be any problems?
This is an all-too-common mindset around homebuyers, but an understandable one. If the designers, architects, and construction contractors used the best possible materials on every square inch of the house and employed tried-and-true techniques, your home should be solid for the foreseeable future.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Even with a new home you spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on, there still may be significant foundation issues lurking beneath your feet. And if you are fully confident that no problems exist, it’s still wise to keep your eyes peeled for any tell-tale signs of foundation damage that needs immediate repair.
How to Maintain a New Home’s Foundation on Your Own
The best way to prevent costly damage from occurring in your new home’s foundation is to stay constantly vigilant. Here is a short checklist of tasks you can perform to ensure you won’t need the services of a foundation repair specialist in East Texas anytime soon:
Keep small trees, foliage, and vines away from the base of your home. Invading plant life brings with it serious moisture buildup and, in some cases, large roots that can create cracks from excess pressure below your foundation.
Routinely check your drainage systems, such as gray water pipes and gutters, to ensure they are draining away from your foundation. If these become clogged or begin to leak, water may build up around your foundation and create severe damage over time.
As often as possible check for cracks in your walls, floors, ceilings, and for windows and doors that no longer operate properly. This can be done every time you think about it as you walk around the interior and exterior of your new home.
Water your foundation during exceedingly hot summer months. If you live in East Texas and have clay soils beneath your foundation, watering them can keep them at the same density they maintain during the wetter, colder months of the year. You may wish to check with a foundation maintenance expert first.
Call in the Professionals
If you notice any signs of your new home’s foundation settling, you may want to reach out to a foundation maintenance and repair specialist like those at Lone Star Foundation Repair. We have decades of collective experience ensuring East Texas homeowners have sturdy ground beneath their feet. Remember to stay aware of the potential problems and high costs of foundation damage that goes unchecked – contact the experts today for more information.
