French drains and yard grading systems are two highly effective ways to fix standing water around the foundation. Since the French drain uses a perforated pipe covered by gravel, you won’t have to worry about water taking the soil away from your foundation. Meanwhile, yard grading levels out the ground to prevent water from gathering around your foundation.

Crawl space foundation problems can stem from a few different issues, but the most common are moisture and water problems and soil instability. Moisture and water issues are often a result of poor drainage, which can lead to water intrusion and soil expansion and contraction, leaving your foundation under added stress. A few things can cause soil instability, including poor drainage, karst landscapes and resulting sinkholes, and poorly compacted soil during construction.

You should plan on waiting at least a year and ideally two to three years after construction before finishing your basement. This will give the foundation time to settle in response to the weight of your home and the expansion of the surrounding soil. You can then repair your foundation and seal any cracks as needed before finishing it to reduce your risk of future leaks or other issues.

In some circumstances, foundation refacing or repair may be a better option for your home than sealing a foundation. It’s always a good idea to take steps to prevent moisture problems in your foundation, but if there are any structural concerns, those will usually need to be fixed first. When dealing with foundation issues, it’s a good idea to get a professional opinion so you can avoid bigger problems down the road.