Testimonials

I had a large issue in the driveway of my home. Multiple cracks. It sounded hollowed as you stomp on it in multiple areas. WHAT THEY DID: They filled up the gaps inside. They repaired superficial cracks very well. They brought up the issue of how rain water could be coming under my driveway and causing more cracks in the future.

Just wanted to let you know that Josh and Nathan came today to take care of our driveway issues. They both did an excellent job in a very professional manner. We will definitely recommend A-1 Concrete Leveling to our friends here, should they have need of such services! Thanks again for your help and Deanne's help in resolving our driveway issues.

We needed part of our front sidewalk leveled, and also porch stairs. Rhett was on time for the estimate and thorougly explained what had to be done, and how it would be done. No rush, willing to answer any questions at all. They called and had an earlier opening than promised so we got it done even sooner than we had hoped. Everyone was very professional and knowledgeable.

I know I had a lot of questions and I appreciated your patience. Your crew did a great job! I walked/crawled around before they left and it was exactly as I expected. The contractors I’ve hired so far for various projects cut a lot of corners and I wouldn’t hire any of them again. I’m glad Luis recommended A1. I will recommend you to anyone looking for foundation work as well.

How to Use Your Landscaping to Avoid Foundation Repair

January 16, 2017

The landscaping around your home plays a very important role in protecting your foundation. These two elements of your home are side-by-side and can work together to keep your home safe. They could also work against each other and end up costing you thousands in repair work. When your landscaping isn’t properly installed with your foundation in mind, you can end up with severe issues such as:

Water getting into your basement
Cracks in your foundation
Cracks in your walls and ceiling
An unevenly settled home
And more

Our foundation repair team in Nashville, TN can help repair all of these issues, but the best thing you can do for your home is to avoid the need for the repairs in the first place. Making a few changes in your landscaping can keep your foundation dry and crack-free throughout the life of your home. Whether you are laying out a new landscaping plan or changing up your old one, here are some tips that can help you protect the foundation of your home.

Tips for a Foundation-Protecting Landscaping Plan

Build a slope away from your home.

This is the number one thing that you’ll need to do with your landscaping to protect your home’s foundation. Your entire yard should gently slope away from your home. Ideally, you should have at least a six-inch drop in elevation for every ten feet you move away from your home. That’s a gentle grade that will move water away from your home and away from your foundation.

Think about all sides of your home.

Don’t neglect a seldom-used side of your home. It’s best that all sides of your home are landscaped so that you don’t end up watering one side and leave the other one dry; that can create uneven pressure on your foundation that can cause a crack. Consider all sides of your home when it comes to landscaping as well as the grade of your yard.

Plant trees away from the foundation.

Make sure you plant trees away from your foundation in order to avoid issues as they grow. Trees can create a variety of problems for foundations. First, they require more water, so if you end up water them too closely to the foundation you could create an issue for yourself. Secondly, as trees get older and larger, their roots can actually start to grow through the foundation, creating an expensive repair job. It’s best to do the majority of your planting away from your landscaping.

Use mulch in your flowerbeds.

Don’t shy away from the mulch! Mulching flower beds and other areas around your home is a great way to soak up excess water. Even if you don’t plan on doing any planting, creating an area of mulch around your foundation isn’t just good for water management, it looks nice. The mulch will act like a sponge and prevent water from seeping into the foundation and into your home.

Don’t cover up your foundation.

When creating a grade for your yard or when creating flower beds, make sure you don’t completely cover up your foundation. You should be able to see several inches of your home’s foundation all the way around the house. This is important for drainage and weep holes so they have somewhere to go instead of inside your home.

Install drainage if there is excess water.

When it rains, take a look at where the water gathers in your yard. If you end up with areas that start to resemble tiny lakes or ponds in your yard, you should consider installing some drainage. Installing a french drain or other drainage methods in your yard can funnel the water away from your home. Excess water standing in your yard is a warning sign that you could experience major foundation repair issues later on.

Keep your gutters clean.

While your gutters might not be a part of your landscaping, strictly speaking, where and how they drain have a big impact on your foundation. You’ll want to have your gutters cleaned once or twice a year to make sure they are effectively catching water and sending it away from your home. Make sure those gutters are draining away from your home, too. You don’t want them dumping all the water from your roof right next to your foundation. Watch for cracks or other signs that they aren’t doing their job and get them repaired as quickly as possible.

We Can Help With Your Foundation Repair

Unfortunately, even if you do everything right with your landscaping, you could still have a need for foundation repair on your Nashville home. While landscaping can be a great way to help protect your foundation, there are plenty of other things that can cause a foundation to crack or settle incorrectly. The concrete may not have been poured correctly, the earth may be settling under your home, or your home may have been the victim of a natural disaster. If you’ve noticed issues with your foundation, get in touch with our team today. We provide reliable, affordable foundation repair services in Nashville and beyond. Our team will evaluate your foundation, identify the issue, and repair the problem. A-1 Concrete Leveling has provided this service for many of your neighbors and friends, so you can trust us to help your home, too. Give us a call or fill out the contact form on our website to get a free quote and to get the foundation repairs that you need.