As a homeowner, it's your duty to protect your home. However, not everyone understands just how to go about this process, especially when it comes to the foundation. There are a variety of seemingly simple mistakes that homeowners make that put their foundations at risk for damage. Make sure you don't make these mistakes.

Ignoring Foundation Warning Signs

Some homeowners sit by and let their foundation issues quickly spiral out of control. If you know that you might have an issue with your foundation and you ignore it, you are likely in this group. 

Aside from an obvious crack in the foundation, doors that are difficult to open, noticeable gaps around the exterior door or window frames, and uneven flooring are some of the problems you don't want to overlook, as they generally point to a problem with the foundation. Have a professional come to your home to inspect your foundation see what exactly the problem is. 

Poor Landscaping Practices

Planting a large tree next to your home might give your home the type of curb appeal you want. However, it will likely lead to issues with your foundation. Large trees have equally large root systems. When you plant a tree with a large root system near your home, eventually, the root systems start to grow towards the foundation, and will eventually put too much pressure on the foundation and cause it to crack. 

The best way to avoid this type of problem is to plant large trees a safe distance away from your home. If your foundation already has a crack in it, you are likely experiencing many of the issues mentioned above. 

Failing to Maintain Proper Drainage

It's also important to keep water from pooling around your foundation. In order to go about this process, you need to have a properly functioning drainage system in place. When you don't have a drainage system in place, water that should drain away will pool around the foundation and cause it to swell. 

Similar to large tree roots, the extra pressure from the swelling soil can cause the foundation to crack or rupture. Either of these issues are serious and require immediate repair, as the structural integrity of your home could be at risk. 

If you make any of these mistakes, the need for foundation repair will likely arise sooner than you might have planned. However, in the event of an issue, contact a foundation repair professional as soon as possible.