How to Maintain Your Home’s Foundation

When it comes to protecting a home's value, few things are more important, or more overlooked, than the foundation. In Los Angeles, where shifting soils, droughts, and even earthquakes are part of life, being proactive is essential. Knowing how to maintain your home’s foundation isn’t complicated, but it does take some thoughtful habits that can save you from expensive repairs down the road.

Los Angeles homeowners enjoy incredible benefits—beautiful weather, diverse architecture, and bustling neighborhoods. But our unique climate and soil conditions create challenges for homes over time. Foundations here face everything from expanding clay soils to the occasional shake from seismic activity.

Being proactive about maintaining your home’s foundation can help you protect your property’s structural integrity, maintain its value, and avoid unpleasant surprises when it’s time to sell.

Let’s dive into the everyday steps that really make a difference.

Most foundation issues start small, so spotting them early is key. Make it a habit to walk around your home a few times a year and look for:

• Small cracks along walls, floors, or the exterior foundation
• Doors and windows that suddenly stick or won’t close properly
• Floors that feel uneven underfoot

In a city like Los Angeles, where homes are often built into hillsides or sit on older soils, slight shifts are normal. But if you notice growing cracks or sudden changes, it’s smart to call in a foundation specialist before a minor issue becomes a major problem.

Water is one of the biggest threats to any foundation. Too much moisture around your home’s base can cause soil to expand, while too little can lead to shrinkage and shifting.

Here’s how to manage it:

• Clean your gutters regularly so water flows away from the house.
• Extend downspouts at least 5–10 feet from the foundation.
• Make sure your yard slopes away from the home, not toward it.
• Avoid heavy watering near the foundation during rainy seasons.

In Los Angeles, flash rains in winter and dry summers create big swings in soil conditions. Ensuring good drainage now can save you thousands later.

Excess water is not the only problem—extreme dryness can also harm foundations. During long stretches of drought (which Los Angeles is no stranger to), the soil can dry out and contract, stressing the foundation.

To maintain steady moisture:

• Lightly water the ground around your foundation during dry months.
• Install a drip irrigation system if needed for slow, even watering.
• Use mulch in garden beds to retain soil moisture.

Learning how to maintain your home’s foundation in a climate like Los Angeles means thinking seasonally—adjusting how you care for your home based on the weather.

Let’s face it: earthquakes are part of life in Southern California. While you can’t prevent seismic activity, you can take steps to make sure your home is ready.

Consider:

• Seismic retrofitting to bolt the house frame securely to the foundation
• Reinforcing cripple walls (those short walls between the foundation and first floor) with plywood
• Consulting a specialist for older homes that may not meet modern codes

Many homes built before the 1980s weren’t designed with today’s earthquake standards in mind. Retrofitting isn’t just smart—it can also lower insurance premiums and increase resale value when it comes time to sell.

That gorgeous jacaranda tree in your front yard? If it’s planted too close to the foundation, it could cause trouble. Roots from trees and large shrubs can disrupt the soil around your home and add pressure against the foundation walls.

Smart landscaping practices include:

• Planting large trees at least 15–20 feet away from the home
• Choosing native or drought-tolerant plants that require less frequent deep watering
• Avoiding heavy, moisture-retaining soil directly next to the foundation

A well-planned garden doesn’t just look good; it supports a healthy foundation too.

Even if everything seems fine, it’s a good idea to schedule a professional inspection every few years, especially if your home is older or if you’ve noticed subtle shifts.

A foundation expert can:

• Spot issues you might miss
• Test soil stability
• Offer simple maintenance suggestions before problems become expensive repairs

In a real estate market as competitive as Los Angeles, maintaining detailed records of professional inspections and preventive maintenance can make your home much more attractive to future buyers.

If you see any of these signs, don’t wait:

• Cracks larger than ¼ inch in walls, floors, or the foundation itself
• Sagging or bouncy floors
• Gaps between walls and ceilings
• Doors or windows pulling away from their frames

These could point to foundation movement, and the sooner you address them, the better.

In Los Angeles, foundation care isn’t just about avoiding repairs—it’s about protecting your home’s long-term value. Buyers here are savvy, and visible signs of foundation trouble can turn a quick sale into a long negotiation.

By staying on top of your home’s maintenance, you keep your property strong, market-ready, and more appealing to potential buyers when the time comes to list.

Just like a solid foundation is essential to a lasting home, having the right real estate expert is key to a successful buying or selling experience. Hameline Global combines deep local knowledge with trusted guidance to help you protect your investment at every stage. Whether you're entering the Los Angeles market or preparing to sell your current property, contact Hameline Global today to take your next step with confidence.