How to Keep Water Away From House Foundation
While we love April showers, they can lead to flooding basements and structural damage. The key is to keep water away from the house foundation so that it can soak into the ground or evaporate.
There are a number of ways to do this. Start with the basics like cleaning gutters and adding downspout extensions if they release water too close to the foundation.
Gutters
Gutters help direct rainwater away from a home and prevent several costly issues including mold, mildew and water penetration into the house. They also help control erosion that can cause damage to the foundation, siding and soffits and fascia boards.
Without gutters, water spills from the roof and pools around the foundation. This causes differential settling and hydrostatic pressure that can crack the foundation and chimney walls. Standing water also attracts mosquitoes in summer and ice dams in winter.
The best way to keep gutters flowing correctly is to clean them at least twice a year and after big storms. This can be done by safely getting on a ladder or hiring a professional. You can install a splash block under your downspout to ensure it always points away from the house. Installing gutter extensions is another good option if you want to make sure your gutters are directing water far enough from the foundation.
Dry Wells
If the soil around your house doesn’t naturally carry water away from the foundation, you may need to install a drainage system. These solutions will help you keep your home’s foundation safe, so your family can enjoy the outdoor living space without worry about structural problems.
Keeping water away from your foundation will protect against soil erosion and basement flooding. It also prevents moisture corroding the walls of your home and causing mold or dampness. Moisture is the number one cause of foundation damage, so it’s essential to drain it properly.
An underground dry well is a porous system that helps disperse storm water and sump pump discharge water. The system is typically a 4ft x 3ft pit filled with clear gravel wrapped in filter cloth (or, before the invention of filter cloth, newspaper). The pit is then covered with concrete galleys to prevent debris from entering and clogging the system. The well is sized according to the infiltration rate of the underlying soil, which a professional can gauge.
French Drains
Ideally, your home would be on a hill so rain and snow melt could easily drain away. But, since this isn’t a practical option for most homes, a drainage solution is needed to help protect your foundation from moisture damage and a soggy yard.
One of the best options is a French drain. Basically, this is a slightly sloped trench filled with gravel and a perforated pipe that diverts water away from the house.
To ensure that a French drain works well, it’s important to install it correctly. First, the trench should be sloping in the direction you want the water to go. Then, the gravel needs to be shoveled in until the pipe is almost completely covered. A layer of landscaping fabric is also put on top to prevent soil from clogging up the pipe’s holes and prevent debris from entering the system. Finally, the pipe’s holes should be pointed down. This may seem counterintuitive, but water always chooses the path of least resistance and this allows it to filter easily through the gravel and into the pipe.
Sump Pump
A sump pump clears excess water from the area around your house, helping to prevent flooding and dampness in a basement or crawl space. A pump senses the rise in water levels and pressure, then a discharge pipe pushes the water outside through a grate that's usually located in the bottom of the basin or pit.
If you want a backup for your pump during power outages, a battery-powered system is available. This uses extra water, however, and raises your water bill.
To keep your sump pump working, make sure it's plugged directly into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet and not an extension cord. Also, periodically open up the pump and take a look at the screen or fan-like impeller to remove any mud or debris from the inside that could clog the pump. You should also test the pump by pouring in buckets of water until the float switch is triggered. Consider purchasing a sump pump with a cast iron core, which dissipates heat better than stainless steel or plastic.
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While we love April showers, they can lead to flooding basements and structural damage. The key is to keep water away from the house foundation so that it can soak into the ground or evaporate. There are a number of ways to do this. Start with the basics like cleaning gutters and adding downspout extensions…