Your home’s foundation is one of its most important components. It quietly supports your entire house, day in and day out. However, many homeowners don’t pay much mind to it because it is out of sight most of the time. Well, there’s a lot more going on beneath your feet than you might realize.
Learning about your foundation helps you better care for your home and avoid costly (and entirely preventable) repairs.
In this article, we explore five things you likely didn’t know about your home’s foundation and how they should inform your maintenance and inspection protocols.
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Your Home’s Foundation
- Not All Foundations Are the Same
- Water Is Its Biggest Enemy
- Cracks Aren’t Always a Red Flag
- Landscaping Can Make or Break It
- Insulation Does More Than Keep You Warm
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1. Not All Foundations Are the Same
You might assume every house is built on a simple concrete slab, but foundations come in several types.
The right foundation for a home depends on three things:
- The local climate
- Soil type
- The house’s design
The three most common types of foundations are:
- Slab-On-Grade
- Crawl Space
- Basement Foundations
A slab is a single layer of concrete poured directly on the ground.
Newly poured residential concrete slab foundation
A crawl space elevates the home a few feet, creating accessible room for plumbing and wiring.
New clean crawlspace foundation with floor joists and pony wall
A full basement provides an entire underground level.
New concrete basement foundation of future home
Each type has unique advantages and requires different maintenance.
2. Water Is Its Biggest Enemy
The number one threat to any foundation is water.
Foundation repair job: applying stucco after adding insulation
In fact, it’s the driving factor behind the foundation repair market, which is expected to be worth $3.4 billion by the year 2032, according to Credence Research.
Stage one step of repairing basement foundation – digging a trench for access
Excess moisture in the soil can exert immense pressure on foundation walls, causing them to crack or bow.
Poor drainage is a primary culprit.
When gutters are clogged or downspouts direct water too close to the house, the soil becomes saturated. This leads to settlement or heaving, which can damage your home’s structure.
Rain downspout that connects to a French drain that runs water away from the foundation through an underground drain
Mold is another serious water-related concern, but proper foundation insulation can prevent mold growth.
3. Cracks Aren’t Always a Red Flag
Finding a crack in your foundation can be alarming, but not all cracks spell disaster.
Small hairline cracks are often a normal part of the concrete curing process or minor settlement over time. Vertical cracks are usually less concerning than horizontal ones.
A horizontal crack often indicates hydrostatic pressure from water in the soil pushing against the foundation wall. Stair-step cracks in brick or concrete block walls can also point to structural issues. If you spot a new or growing crack, it’s wise to have a professional take a look.
4. Landscaping Can Make or Break It
Another thing you perhaps didn’t know about your home’s foundation is that what you plant around your foundation matters.
Home with sloped front yard running downward from foundation to the street
Trees with large, aggressive root systems can grow into and underneath your foundation, causing it to shift and crack.
It’s best to plant large trees at least 20 feet away from your house.
Home with large surrounding yard that slopes away from the foundation
On the flip side, proper landscaping helps maintain stable moisture levels in the soil. Grading your yard so it slopes away from the house encourages water to drain properly. This simple step can save you from major foundation headaches.
A dry drainage ditch running downslope away from foundation
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5. Insulation Does More Than Keep You Warm
Foundation insulation is not just about temperature control.
New basement foundation with weatherproofing being added
It plays a role in moisture management. In colder climates, foundation insulation helps manage the impact of cold weather on your home by preventing the freeze-thaw cycle that can cause cracks. In humid areas, proper insulation is part of a system that helps control condensation by keeping the foundation surfaces warmer and drier.
Insulation installed to exterior side of foundation
Your foundation works hard to protect your home. By understanding its vulnerabilities and needs, you can take proactive steps to keep it strong.
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