What Other Issues Can Lead to Problems with Foundation Waterproofing?

Not all foundation waterproofing issues are caused by outside circumstances. Here are other factors that can put your foundation at risk. 

• Leaking Pipes  

Freezes and leaks tend to form when hydrostatic pressure exerts its influence outside of your home. That pressure, unfortunately, can have an equally devastating impact on your home’s structural integrity when it starts inside your basement or crawl space. The pipes that direct water through your home are not as watertight on the outside as they are on the inside. The more humidity they are exposed to over time, the more likely it is that they’ll develop stress fractures.  

If your pipes break open, they can flood your basement or crawl space or even, on a less severe note, lend to the moisture already plaguing your home. In doing so, they can exacerbate any damage you might already be contending with. Your HVAC system can have a similar impact on the humidity levels in your home. If you let your pipes and your HVAC system go unchecked for an extended period of time, you may find yourself contending not only with greater levels of hydrostatic pressure but with more severe structural damage.  

• Tree Roots 

You may also have to worry about the influence tree roots can have on your foundation’s overall structural integrity. Tree roots that make their way too close to your home will destabilize the packed soil there. In doing so, they work like burrows. Your foundation can sink into these caverns and buckle or otherwise begin to show signs of structural failure.  

There are ways to get ahead of this kind of damage. Foundation waterproofing measures can help you eliminate any moisture that might move along with these tree roots. However, you may need to invest in root trimming services, tree removal, or even tree relocation services to prevent tree roots from making a mess of your foundation. Ideally, you’ll want to do this kind of work before a tree can start to destabilize your home. If you can’t, however, you can work with landscapers or professionals in similar fields to tend to any wayward tree roots.