Many people might not think or even consider hiring someone to check their property for erosion. Unfortunately, this may lead to problems down the road and is considered necessary to maintain the structural integrity of the home. If there are no erosion control measures then this can lead to huge complications like swamping and flooding, water pollution, soil loss, unhandled surface runoff, and damage or loss to your house and land. Good for you, if you are located in the Middle TN area, and have come to find that erosion has destroyed or greatly damaged your foundation, give Barrier Waterproofing Services a call at (615) 257-1060 | (931) 536-1168. Foundation issues pertaining to erosion can typically occur due to the constant changing of soil conditions. Soils that more readily absorb water, area with expansive clay, poor water drainage, and continuously changing weather conditions can all contribute to the furthering of erosion. Erosion in general can be problematic, but for the purposes of helping you know what to look for and what to do if you encounter it, we will discuss how it pertains to your foundation.

What to look for when erosion is suspect:

Now we all know that moisture and water collecting and pooling next to and under the foundation can cause problems for your homes structural integrity (Okay, maybe not EVERYBODY knows), but maybe what you didn’t know is that it can cause erosion. So you may have checked for water collection, and found water collection, but might not have checked for erosion: do that! If your home does not have an exterior drainage system, or does but has a poorly working one, then you might want to look at getting that fixed. Downspouts that are not connected to gutters, gutters that are blocked with debris can all cause water to build up around the house. Over time, this collection of water around the foundation will or CAN cause erosion. If the patio, driveway, or soil has not been properly sloped away from the house, then common sense says it is just going to run towards the house. Interestingly enough, if you are gardening and always flower your water beds near the house, then this can cause erosion. Sprinklers placed near the home, or watering systems placed near the home can also cause erosion. Basically, any water buildup or constant water can cause soil erosion, in turn causing the house foundation to settle downward.

How this pertains to your foundation:

Homes with foundation erosion and settlement need a foundation specialist from someone who is certified to make the repair. Foundation erosion can create structural issues, leading to cracked foundation, sagging floors, crooked/uneven doors, cracks in walls and drywall and baseboards that have separated where their mitered areas meet. A home with slab foundation that has settled due to erosion or water damage needs reinforcement and leveling. If you are in the middle TN area, and need someone from Barrier Waterproofing Systems to give your home a proper inspection, give us a call at (615) 257-1060 | (931) 536-1168.