Some house owners might not care about the standing water outside, letting it dry naturally, not knowing what damages it can cause and how to redirect the water somewhere else.
The house’s foundation is like its backbone; keeping it safe and protecting it well is very important and necessary.
When not taken care of, there might be damage to the house, or the damage to the foundation can cause the house to fall. Different reasons cause harm to the foundation, but water-causing moisture causes issues and, in some cases, compromises the structure of the whole building.
Some of the ways to redirect water away from the foundation are:
- Having a proper gutter system.
- Installing a french drain.
- Adding a dry well or a garden.
- Downspout extensions.
- Adding gravel to the yard.
- Installing a sump pump.
- Creating a slope.
- Creating a rain garden.
- Grading landscape.
Redirecting water away from the foundation of a house is necessary, as it is also about the safety of the people living inside the house and the house structure itself. Doing your best to redirect the water away from the foundation is necessary.
These methods of keeping water away are simple without requiring complicated techniques, and knowing the right way to do them is enough to keep the water away.
Methods for Redirecting Water Away From the Foundation
Keeping the foundation dry and away from water is necessary. Some ways of redirecting water away from the foundation are:
1. Having a Proper Gutter System
A proper gutter system is necessary to keep the water away from the house, and houses have a gutter system, but if yours is missing one, you should install it.
The gutter system helps in moving the water away from the house.
Keeping the gutter clean is a must, and one should regularly clean it for leaves and debris.
2. Installing a French Drain
A french drain is best to keep all the water away from the house and its foundation, and it takes some time and manual work to install it, but it keeps the house foundation safe.
One can install a french drain while following the steps, but if not sure, calling experts is an option.
Steps for installing a french drain:
- Digging a trench.
- Placing the landscape fabric.
- Filling the bottom with gravel.
- Putting the drain pipe in the trench.
- Cover the top of the drain pipe with gravel.
- Fold the landscape fabric on top of the gravel.
- Cover the area with soil.
- A large trench is durable and good at draining water.
- Landscape fabric prevents roots from penetrating the pipe and damaging it.
3. Adding a Dry Well
Another effective way to keep water away from the foundation is by constructing a dry well. A dry well not only keeps the water away but also aids in returning the excessive water to the ground and keeps the area safe from flooding.
The process of building a dry well is simple:
- Dig a hole of six to seven feet deep and five to six feet wide, depending on the area and one’s preferences.
- Fill the dug hole with crushed stones and gravel.
Constructing a well will help the water go underground and prevent water from pooling on the property.
4. Downspout Extension
A downspout is good at draining water, but it pours the draining water from the roof and discharges it at the house base, making it easy for the water to go to the foundation and damage it.
A downspout extension is another way to keep the water away from the foundation. It takes the water to a different place on the property, not near the house, protecting the foundation.
5. Adding Gravel to the Yard
Gravel helps keep the water away from the foundation, but the area around the house has to be a slop, so gravel help drain the water away from the foundation.
6. Making Use of a Sump Pump
A sump pump is the best option for collecting the water entering the foundation of the house and draining them out of the house.
The sump pump is a device installed in the basement for gathering water, and water making its way there goes into a sump pit and then into the drain and out of the house after reaching a certain level.
The sump pump is expensive, but it is a good investment. It helps in keeping the whole structure secure.
7. Creating a Slope
Creating a slope around the house can save the foundation from getting damaged by the water, as it will help drain the water away from the house foundation.
The water does not flood around the house but flows downward along the slopes.
8. Creating a Rain Garden
Another way to keep water away from the foundation is to create a rain garden. It not only helps to keep the water away but also gives a pleasing and aesthetic look to the property.
Planting water-absorbing plants in the garden will help with the excessive water and prevalent flooding and pooling around the house.
Experts have suggested creating a rain garden ten feet away from the house to prevent the water from gathering around the foundation.
9. Grading Landscape
Grading the landscape means changing the landscape to make a proper way for the water to move away from the house.
If there is some issue with the grading of the landscape, the water will flood around the house, but proper grading means making the area around the house a little sloppy as you go down so that the water moves downward.
The slopping should go away from the house and not towards it; otherwise, the water will move toward the house and create water pools.
The Effect of No Proper Drainage Around the Foundation
Some of the effects of poor drainage around the foundation are:
- Flooded basement.
- Flooded water around the house.
- Water pools on the property for hours or even days after the rainfall or storm.
- Water stains on the basement walls.
- Cracks on the basement walls.
Conclusion
Water is vital for life, but sometimes it can cause unimaginable and beyond-repair damages. The same is the case with water when it comes in contact with the foundation of the house. So, it becomes necessary to keep it away from the house foundation to avoid damage to it and the structure of the house.
When water comes in contact with the foundation, it will cause stains, molds, and decay to the structure, and if one notices the damage early, it is easy to fix it as the damage will not be severe. But, if it is ignored or remains unnoticed, the damage can even lead to changing the whole structure.
It is necessary to check the property regularly, especially for water leaks, so one can fix them.
Most importantly, always keep the foundation away from water using any means and ways, whatever suits you the best, to have a safe place to live without the stress of a water-damaged foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take for Water To Enter the Foundation?
- It depends on the condition of the house and the waterproofing around the house.
- If the water is flooded around the house and not taken care of, water will penetrate the foundation in no time and damage it.
Can an Internal Water Leak Inside the House Cause Damage to the House?
Yes! Internal water leaks, like plumping issues, can cause damage to the foundation of the house. It is necessary to treat all water leak issues as soon as one notices them.
