Welcome to the Foundation Maintenance Guide, your essential resource for safeguarding your property’s foundation. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore practical tips and strategies to protect and maintain your foundation, ensuring the long-term stability and integrity of your valuable investment.

Protecting Your Property’s Foundation

1. Gutters and Downpipes

• Ensure all gutters and downpipes are leak-free
• Signs of leakage: stains under eaves, sinking pavement, erosion, mold, or water pooling near foundations

2. Subsoil Pipes

• Verify subsoil pipes are clear of blockages and not flowing back towards the foundation.
• Stormwater pipe adapters should catch water without spillage at the foundation.

3. Soakwells

• Install soakwells far from foundations and sized appropriately to handle stormwater runoff.
• Use online stormwater calculators for size estimation.

4. Landscaping Placement

• Keep gardens and irrigation systems away from foundations.
• Ensure sprinkler systems face away from foundations.
• Pavement should slope away from foundations for proper rainwater runoff.
• Trees and root systems should not encroach on foundations.

5. Pools and Pool Installations

• Install underpinning beneath surrounding foundations, extending below the pool level for structural integrity.
• Implement drainage systems to divert pool water away from structures (e.g., grated drains, dish drains directed to soakwells).

Tips for Effective Maintenance:

• Schedule routine inspections and servicing of all service systems
• Address any issues promptly to prevent potential damage to the foundation.
• Seek professional assistance for complex maintenance tasks or repairs.

7. External Factors Impacting Foundation Stability

• Be mindful of water runoff from surrounding properties, as it can add strain on retaining walls or the foundation of your property.
• Local construction activities may cause vibration and undermine existing structures, leading to potential foundation issues.

Tips for Mitigating External Risks:

• Monitor neighboring construction projects and their potential impact on your property.
• Consider installing additional drainage or reinforcement measures to protect against increased water runoff.
• Consult with professionals to assess and address any risks posed by nearby construction activities.

Reducing Risk, Ensuring Stability

By following these maintenance steps, you can minimise the risk of foundation movement and subsidence, ensuring the stability and longevity of your property.