Dear Robin:
Dear Frustrated Daughter in law:
I know unwanted advice from in-laws can be frustrating, but your father in law is correct. Water from overflowing gutters or clogged gutters that don’t flow the water six feet AWAY from the foundation can cause foundation settlement. Incorrect drainage can also cause water to come into the basement. You should keep the gutters cleaned out and be sure no water pools around the foundation of your home. If you already see new cracks in the foundation walls, or soil erosion around the outside foundation, or are having water in the basement, you should find an experienced geotech-forensic-structural engineer to evaluate and make recommendations for repairs. And thank your father in law for bringing it to your attention. He likely has saved you the heartache of a $15,000-$40,000 repair in the future.
