Soil erosion can be hazardous to your home’s foundation. The soil surrounding your foundation contributes to the foundation’s stability. You can think about how a concrete block laid on top of stone will be much more stable than one set on top of a pile of sand. While these are extreme examples, the soil your home is built on is the foundation for your foundation — so it’s important that it can hold up the weight of your house! If that soil is stripped away from erosion, the foundation could shift or sink, leading to cracks and structural problems.

Sometimes, soil can erode in a specific spot around the house. For example, maybe you have water runoff that is eroding the front right corner of your home, leaving the foundation exposed. The weight of the home may be particularly concentrated in that area, leading to more stress and strain on your foundation, and you may ultimately need foundation repair because of this issue.

In today’s blog post, we’ll be sharing a few tips as to how to best protect your foundation from soil erosion. While the professionals here at A-1 Concrete Leveling and Foundation Repair in Nashville are always here for you if you need foundation repair, we hope that you can take steps to prevent foundation damage from ever happening in the first place! Continue reading to learn more, and if you have foundation cracks, a wet basement, or any other signs or foundation issues, contact us.

Use Landscaping to Control Erosion

There are specific plants and gardening plans that can help increase the firmness of the soil, and you can talk to your local Nashville landscaper to learn more. Essentially, the roots of the plants work to hold the soil together and prevent it from eroding. However, be sure to not plant trees too close to your home’s foundation because as strong tree roots spread, they can damage your foundation.

Install Gutters and Long Downspouts

Gutters and downspouts are a key part of keeping your foundation healthy. They prevent rainwater damage to the foundation and they also direct water to a safe runoff area. Downspouts should be placed at least five to 10 feet away from the base of the house, though this distance can be adjusted based on soil type. For example, some soils expand when wet while others erode more easily. If you haven’t already, it’s a good idea to inspect your soil surrounding your home’s foundation so that you know what you’re dealing with and where you may be more susceptible to erosion.

Build Retaining Walls

If your home is near a steep slope, it may be useful to build retaining walls. Badly eroded slopes will continue to collapse downhill until they are stabilized, and a retaining wall can help slow down that collapse. If you are already experiencing erosion, a retaining wall can give time for grass and plants to grow and hold the soil together. You can build a retaining wall from concrete, rock, or wood. If you choose to use wood, though, be sure that the wood has been treated to prevent rot, otherwise your wall won’t last very long! A-1 Concrete Leveling and Foundation Repair in Nashville is happy to pour a concrete retaining wall for you, and we will let you know if you need government approval to build the structures that you need to protect your foundation.

Create Stepped Terraces

Terraces are very similar to retaining walls, however each section between the retaining walls is leveled off to create a series of steps. Don’t try doing this on your own, as a terrace needs to be able to support itself to keep the hillside from collapsing, and causing a big problem that would most likely require significant foundation repair. This is a great opportunity to try out a new form of gardening, whether with sectioned flower beds or vegetable gardens. Creating terraces is a great way to prevent erosion, protect your foundation, and create something beautiful!

Don’t Overwater Your Yard

Too many homeowners go overboard when it comes to watering their yard. Not only can regular watering be wasteful, it can also lead to dangerous soil erosion that could damage your erosion. Water speeds up the erosion process. Sprinkler-related erosions can not only affect the area that you are watering, but also runoff and cause more extensive damage.

Avoid Soil Compaction

When people, animals, or machines travel over soil, the soil becomes compacted into a dense layer. When this happens, water has a harder time draining, and can pool or errode surface soil. It’s a good idea to build paths instead of trampling the soil. Try to avoid driving vehicles over your yard. Know that compacted soil also makes it harder for plants to grow, as roots have a hard time breaking through the soil.

Schedule Foundation Repair in Nashville Today

Soil erosion is one of the number one causes of foundation damage, and while we can’t prevent all forms of erosion, we hope that you found some ways to slow the process! If your home’s foundation has been damaged due to erosion or for any other reason, our foundation company can help. There’s nothing more we love than a job well done! We utilize cutting-edge methods and materials to not only repair your foundation, but also ensure that your home will be able to stand strong for years to come.

Contact us today to get started with a free quote on foundation repair in the Nashville area. We’ll solve your foundation problems in no time!