Your home’s foundation is more important than you give it credit for. Without a strong foundation, your home could start to sink or fall apart, so you really need to take good care of it, and below you will find exactly how to do that.

1. Get Gutter Guards

Water is the enemy of a strong foundation, so you really need to do everything you can to protect your foundation from the wetter elements. Although it may not seem like it could be true, even a little rain can cause your foundation to shift and crack, which is, as you can imagine, far from ideal.

The good news is, gutter guards can help to prevent this from happening by preventing your gutters from becoming clogged with leaves and other debris that could cause an overflow of water to pool and harm your foundations. Install them and you will not regret it.

2. Keep an Eye on Drainage

Good drainage is key to protecting your foundation. If water collects near your home, it can seep into the soil and cause all sorts of problems, including soil expansion and contraction. This constant push-and-pull is not a game your foundation wants to play.

Check your yard to make sure water flows away from your house rather than pooling around the foundation. This might mean adjusting the slope of your yard or installing a French drain system to channel water away. And if you’re in a region that gets a lot of rain, you may even want to consider extending your downspouts to ensure that water is being directed at least 10 feet away from your home.

3. Keep Trees in Check

Trees are beautiful, offer great shade, and make your yard look like something out of a magazine. But when it comes to your foundation, they can be a bit tricky. Tree roots can be invasive, sucking up moisture from the soil and causing it to shift or dry out too much. This can create voids under your foundation, leading to cracks or even full-blown structural damage.

So, how do you deal with your leafy friends without turning your yard into a desert? Simple: plant trees a safe distance from your home. Experts recommend that large trees be planted at least 15 to 20 feet away from your foundation. If you’ve already got big trees near your home, consider root barriers to prevent them from causing damage.

4. Seal Cracks Before They Get Worse

Cracks in your foundation can start small, but don’t let them fool you—they can turn into big problems if ignored. Regularly inspect your foundation (and the interior walls and floors) for any cracks or gaps, no matter how minor they may seem.

If you spot something, act fast. For small cracks, you can use a concrete patch or caulk to fill them in and prevent moisture from seeping in and making things worse. If you notice larger cracks, it’s a good idea to call in a professional to assess the situation. Catching these problems early can save you a lot of stress (and money) later on.

5. Control Moisture Levels

Your foundation doesn’t like to be too wet or too dry—it’s all about finding that just-right balance. In areas that experience extreme droughts or excessive rain, moisture levels in the soil around your foundation can fluctuate wildly, causing the ground to expand and contract.

To keep the soil moisture level steady, you can use a soaker hose around the perimeter of your foundation during dry spells. This prevents the soil from shrinking too much and causing cracks. And of course, during rainy periods, make sure your drainage systems (like gutters and downspouts) are working properly to keep excess water away.

6. Take Basement Waterproofing Seriously

If your home has a basement, it’s especially important to keep it dry. Waterproofing your basement not only protects your living space from flooding but also keeps your foundation from being exposed to too much moisture.

Start by sealing any cracks in the basement walls and floors, then consider installing a sump pump to remove water that could accumulate. For homes in flood-prone areas, a full waterproofing system, complete with a vapor barrier and drainage tiles, might be a smart investment. After all, the last thing you want is for your basement to turn into an indoor swimming pool.

7. Conduct Regular Inspections

When it comes to keeping your foundation strong, regular inspections are your best defense tactic. Walk around your home’s perimeter every few months to look for any signs of trouble—cracks in the foundation, pooling water, or even changes in how doors and windows are closing (a sign that something could be shifting).

If something doesn’t look right, don’t wait. Small issues can escalate into big, expensive problems faster than you think. A little attention now can save you from major headaches (and wallet aches) down the line.

Your home’s foundation is, well, it’s the foundation to a healthy property, so give it some love!