How Can I Prevent Sinking Concrete Slabs?

Concrete that has suffered cosmetic damage is not always likely to sink, but it is certainly more exposed to further damage. As such, it is a good idea to take particular care of damaged concrete. Here are a few basic things that you can do to protect concrete slabs around your home from sinking. 

Manage Soil Saturation 

That said, most sinking concrete slabs are caused by issues in the soil rather than defects in the slab itself. As such, managing the health and texture of your soil will go a long way toward preventing sinking concrete slabs (and protecting your property as a whole). 

First and foremost, you should make sure you have appropriate foundation drainage systems in place to handle the amount of water and rain your home usually has to deal with. This covers drains, both inside and outside, and appliances like sump pumps. Secondly, you should make sure all your drainage options direct water away from your property. Finally, consider how you plant your yard. The right mix of flowers, bushes, and other plants can seriously increase the stability of your soil. 

Conduct Yearly Checks and Maintenance 

As well as making sure that you have all the appropriate drainage systems in place, you should take the time to check and maintain them. Scheduling annual checks and maintenance appointments will go a long way toward preventing foundation flooding and soil saturation. This will not only prevent sinking concrete slabs but will protect the entire structure of your property. 

You can also carry out seasonal tasks and cleaning to further protect your drainage systems from avoidable clogs and damage. Cleaning out your window wells, gutters, and drains in fall and spring can help prevent debris from clogging your drainage systems and causing runoff, overspill, and flooding around your property. By making these simple changes to your routine, you could prevent huge amounts of avoidable damage and save yourself a lot of money in the long run.