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How Can Rain Damage My Home’s Foundation? | Smoky Mountain Crawlspace Systems

SYNOPSIS: Wet shoes, slippery roads, and the cancellation of outdoor activities are just a few reasons people dread rain. Rain can (and would you believe it?) cause structural damage!

How Can Simple Rain Damage My Home's Foundation?

BY: John Greene, Smoky Mountain Crawl Space Systems

Smoky-Mountain-Crawl-Space-Systems-how-can-rain-damage-my-homes-foundationWet shoes, slippery roads, and the cancellation of outdoor activities are just a few reasons people dread rain. There is yet another reason (and would you believe it?) that rain can bring homeowners in particular some grief: structural damage. While the average quantity of rain is typically not a problem, torrential downpours combined with inadequate drainage can be problematic for a house’s foundation.

 

This is because the soil around your home’s foundation enlarges as a result of rainfall penetrating the ground. The water eventually evaporates, and the soil dries up for several days or weeks (until it rains again). The water cycle will inevitably fluctuate, but when the soil structures swell during the whole process, it can put enough hydrostatic pressure on your foundation to cause tiny fissures and fractures. Although hairline cracks in a foundation are quite frequent and not generally a sign of harm, if the cracks get deeper over time (as they always do), they might create vulnerable spots where groundwater can enter your basement.

 

If the soil structures beneath your home drastically slump or sink, or if a sinkhole develops beneath your property, more severe damage may potentially happen. For instance, your foundation may shift significantly, leading to significant cracks appearing in your foundation slab, walls, ceiling, chimney, and stairs. If you experience a period of heavy rain that causes the soil structures to swell significantly, followed by a period of drought that causes the soil to dry out, it is possible for a significant void or chasm to form underneath your home.

 

One approach to protect your foundation from water damage is to ensure a suitable drainage system is in place, even if it might be difficult to get your foundation examined regularly because so much of it is underground. Installing an inside footing drain or a perforated drain pipe, sometimes referred to as a French drain, can be very successful at correctly distributing rainwater before it has a chance to accumulate and cause damage to your home’s foundation.

Exterior Signs of Foundation Damage

Exterior warning signs that a foundation has been damaged by rain or water include minor cracks, a sinking or settling foundation, and surface or subsurface water collecting around a home.

  • When pressure is applied to a foundation, little cracks develop. Even while they might not be a concern right now, they might enlarge under future strain or serve as a pathway for nearby groundwater to enter a home’s foundation and cause harm to the inside.
  • Most individuals tend to disregard warning signs such as sinking or settling foundations. The majority of homeowners believe that because foundation settling is so common, it doesn’t pose a threat to their safety. However, a sinking foundation might permanently harm a home’s structural integrity. The soil surrounding a residence will swell due to the influx of too much water during periods of excessive rain. After that, the dirt will dry out, sink, and create gaps around the foundation that it will eventually sink into.
  • Another obvious indication that a homeowner’s foundation is at risk from summer rains is surface or subsurface water accumulated around a foundation. While improper drainage may undoubtedly harm a yard, it can also be dangerous to foundations. If there are frequent enough heavy downpours, the water that collects around a house can cause additional issues like cracked or sinking foundations, bowed walls, or other structural issues. This is because as the soil becomes saturated with water, pressure is put on the foundation as it tries to make room for the increased volume.

Interior Signs of Foundation Damage

In addition to any evident outside symptoms of foundation problems, there are several indications of rain damage on the inside of a foundation that needs to be treated carefully. These include cracked walls, floods, mold growth, and pest issues.

  • Another damage caused by the soil and rain surrounding a house is bowed walls. When the earth around a foundation swells from water, it starts to press against the house’s structure (as mentioned above). The earth can exert enough pressure to push a foundation inward, leading to fractures, bent walls, and other problems that compromise the structural integrity of the building.
  • Flooding is often the most evident indication that a foundation has been harmed by rain or water. Water collecting around a foundation can cause more harm than external foundation displacement. Even tiny gaps in the foundation might allow water to seep in, as can drainage systems that need to be installed farther away from the house. Flooding or staining indicates that rain has penetrated a foundation, which strongly indicates that the foundation has a breach that has to be sealed off to prevent additional damage.
  • Another sign of rain or water-damaged foundations is mold and insects. Given that fungi need a dark, damp space with the correct temperature to attack a home, standing water and water damage can cause a significant amount of mold to grow. Additionally, when they seek refuge from the heavy rains, insects and vermin can multiply inside a house through cracks in the foundation or other openings and cause damage.

How Smoky Mountain Crawlspace Systems Can Help

Contact the waterproofing professionals at Smoky Mountain Crawlspace Systems for your professional drainage system and foundation repair services needs. We have offered homeowners original, individualized solutions to their foundation problems for more than ten years. Our in-house team of structural engineers will be happy to come up with a solution just for you, whether you’re looking for a way to stop rainwater from entering your home or you want to strengthen the surrounding soil structures to guarantee that your foundation will stay in place for the long haul. 

Give us a call to schedule a FREE evaluation today at (865) 299-2315.

 

“Best Crawl Space Repair in Nashville, TN”

Top Rated Local Crawl Space Repair & Cleaning Service Company

Davidson County: Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, Murfreesboro, Clarksville, TN

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“Best Crawl Space Repair in Nashville, TN”

Top Rated Local Crawl Space Repair & Cleaning Service Company

Davidson County: Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, Murfreesboro, Clarksville, TN

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John Greene

Smoky Mountain Crawl Space Systems

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BIO: BARRIER WATERPROOFING SYSTEMS is a top rated full service custom crawl space and basement repair service & cleaning company serving the greater Nashville, TN area.

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How Can Rain Damage My Home’s Foundation? | Smoky Mountain Crawlspace Systems