When a new home is built in this day and age, much closer attention is being paid to the foundational structure of the home and the area around it. The ground area surrounding the house must be graded slightly sloping away so that water from rain or other sources like sprinklers, will not accumulate too closely to the home. There is a very specific reason for this and that is because when water accumulates and stands too near the foundation of a house, it can cause deterioration to the cement or cinder blocks that are normally used for the foundation structure.



When water accumulates and stands for long periods of time near the base of a home, it can seep into the ground and cause moisture to stay there and cause damage. The mortar between blocks can slowly erode away and allow the water inside into a basement or the crawl space underneath the home. This process could take several years to cause any real damage, but when it does it can be costly to correct.

This is what the owners of older homes have sometimes found out the hard way. After years of allowing water too stand too near the house, they have discovered that water is leaking and sometimes flooding into their basement. This can cost thousands of dollars to correct if it let go for too long. This kind of structural damage can actually cause your home to sink several inches and cause damage to the inside of the home too. It can make doors, floors, and windows become misaligned. This kind of damage can really take a toll on the value of a home.

Even when water only gets underneath the house in the crawlspace, it can cause mold to develop and wood rotting. This can make the beams under the home continually moist when weather conditions are right and this can cause devastating mold and rot that can also cause the home to become misaligned due to sinking floors or walls.

Anytime you notice that there is water standing very near the base of your home, consult with a professional landscaper to find out whether you might be able to repair the problem on your own or if you will need their services. What ever it cost you now to have the problem corrected will probably be cheaper than if you wait until your home is physically damaged.