When it comes to your home, there are few features more important than the foundation. Along with ensuring stability, an intact foundation with proper grading also prevents water from seeping into your basement and ruining fixtures and appliances. Water seepage contributes to mold growth that negatively impacts your home's air quality. Using the following tips will help you preserve your foundation and prevent major issues. 

How to Protect Your Home's Foundation

1. Tend to Your Gutters

Cleaning your gutters twice a year stops water from pooling on your roof. It also prevents water from spilling out of the gutters and flowing to the ground below, which saturates the soil around your foundation. In the same regard, you must ensure the downspout isn't depositing water close to your home, or foundation issues might not be far off. When cleaning, check gutters for defects that could lead to leaks. If the downspout is improperly positioned, readjust it or consider installing new gutters if necessary. 

2. Install a Basement Sump Pump

Sump pumps remove moisture in basements and from around the home and deposit it far away, where it can't damage your foundation. They're also essential in the event of flooding caused by a bad storm or burst pipe inside the home. Along with the initial installation, sump pumps also require maintenance. Test the device every six months by pouring water into the sump pit and assessing how well the pump removes it. Because they need electricity to operate, you should also have your sump pump hooked to a backup generator in case of a power outage.  

3. Maintain the Grading Around Your Home

The ground around your foundation should be sloped downward so that rainwater flows away from the home. If it's not, there's little you can do to prevent the soil from becoming saturated and increasing pressure on your foundation, which can then lead to cracks. An excavation company can perform drainage corrections to keep water flowing away from your home and stop expensive foundation damage from occurring.

Choosing the right company to adjust your grading is also important. That's why homeowners in Wichita, KS, turn to Ground EFX LLC for their extensive excavation knowledge. These contractors can alleviate excess moisture around your home and perform drainage corrections to ensure your foundation remains intact. They also offer lot leveling and removal of exterior features like patios. Learn more about their drainage correction service online, or call (316) 992-1627 to schedule your free consultation.