Signs of Poor Foundation Drainage and How to Fix Them
When it comes to your home’s foundation drainage, it is important that drain systems work efficiently. There are few things as troubling to a homeowner as discovering foundation drainage issues, and even more so after a heavy rain. But as a homeowner, you don’t have to wait until the situation becomes a problem. Homeowners can proactively have a foundation repair company out to look at their concerns before the issues worsen.
There are drainage issue warning signs around the foundation. Likewise, there are methods of improving drainage around the foundation. Knowing these warning signs and some of the remedies can help put your mind at ease, and keep water out of your basement for good.
Proper Drainage Around the Foundation
If you are carefree during times of heavy rain, then you likely have solid foundation drainage systems. However, a misconception about foundation leaking is that you would see standing water. In fact, you might have foundation damage and not see any amount of water at all. It’s not always the horror movie scene of walking downstairs to a puddle of water and the water seeping in through the walls.
Poor foundational drainage is not an all-or-nothing scenario. Typically, poor drainage is something that occurs over time, so you can encounter many warnings before the real damage happens. Fortunately, there are indicators that can help alert you to possible structural damage. As mentioned, knowing these warning signs can help you stay in control of the drainage near your foundation.
Is My Foundation Compromised?
Certainly, a major giveaway is whether there is water damage to your home. This can occur in a variety of ways aside from standing water. For example, if you have cabinets in your basement and they are separating from the walls. This can be an indicator of moisture.
Aside from moisture, you might notice cracks in your walls or floors. What is important to remember is that cracks happen both inside and outside. Typically, homeowners look at their basement walls for foundational cracks. But if these cracks are zig-zagging on your exterior as well, this could lead to foundation drainage problems.
Drainage issues around the foundation can also lead to additional drainage issues in the home. For example, if you notice that your home’s drainage is uneven or irregular, there may be blockage. Therefore, be aware of your overall drainage situation.
There are certainly other indicators that can be warning signs for foundation drainage issues. Doors that now stick or have sinking ground near the foundation, for instance. If you are concerned about your house's foundation drainage, you should call the pros.
But there are some remedies you can tackle on your own, depending on the severity of the problem.
How Can I Improve Drainage Issues Around My Foundation?
While some issues should be left to the pros, there are matters you can take into your own hands. For example, landscaping plays a big role in house foundation drainage. A rule of thumb is to have the landscaping slope away from your home. Pooling near the foundation of your home can be problematic since water seems to always find a way.
The same can be said about gutters. While located on the opposite part of the home, gutters direct water away from the home. If your spout is simply moving water to the base near your home, this is problematic.
There are even some cracks in your walls that can be fixed with polyurethane foam, for example. But the thing is that if these cracks aren’t filled properly, they will persist. And this is why you should always consider a home inspection, regardless of the scope of the problem.
Residential Repair Services
The professionals can not only fix your problem but can help you understand the full scope. As mentioned, foundation drainage issues are not always noticeable. These problems occur gradually and it is difficult to know just how severe it is until it’s too late. With a home inspection, you will know where you stand.
Don’t mess around with drainage issues around your foundation. Protect your family and home with our expert residential foundation repair service.
