Improper drainage on the outside of your home is one of the main causes of foundation problems for many people across Texas. It’s an issue that’s influenced by a lot of different factors, from soil conditions and weather patterns to proper maintenance, and it doesn’t affect everyone the same because of that. Implementing an effective foundation drainage solution is essential to prevent these issues and protect your home’s structural integrity. However, we’re getting ahead of ourselves!
In this article, we will talk about the many ways that poor exterior drainage damages your home’s foundation and how improper use of irrigation systems can make the problem worse. Taking these findings and tips into account will help you protect your foundation from major issues and costly repairs.
Problems Caused By Poor Drainage Around Your House
When your home doesn’t have proper drainage, what you get is more serious than a damp foundation.
Here are some of the main problems that not improving your exterior drainage can cause. These problems can be mitigated by installing foundation drains, which can effectively manage water around your home’s foundation.
Water Damage On Your Foundation
Concrete, while one of the most durable materials used in construction today, is not immune to damage, particularly when it comes to water. Concrete, as you must know, is a porous material, so prolonged contact with moisture (like the one in damp soil) makes it susceptible to water infiltration, which can also affect basement walls.
Now, concrete foundations can usually handle water all right if it’s in small amounts over reasonable periods of time, but a poor drainage system means that the foundation will be almost perpetually exposed to water, causing foundation cracks to appear because of the aforementioned water infiltration.
Soil Expansion
Concrete is not the only part of your home that suffers when constantly exposed to water. The soil around your foundation can also absorb all the excess moisture that results from poor drainage and start to expand; the more it expands, the more hydrostatic pressure it exerts over your foundation, causing it to crack and shift.
While soil expansion is something that you really can’t avoid at all (since letting your yard go completely dry causes the next issue we’ll discuss), you can mitigate its negative effect by doing your due diligence and giving your foundation a fighting chance through waterproofing and responsible watering.
Soil Erosion
Your foundation helps itself stay balanced with the soil that surrounds your home. If there is constantly a large amount of water seeping into the soil and then dissipating, that soil is going to be displaced and affect your foundation’s balance. Soil erosion is often the result of a poor wet-dry cycle. You can help out by lightly watering the ground around your foundation occasionally but remember: There are many different types of soil out there, so do your research and learn what type of soil your house is sitting on since they all have different water absorption and expansion rates, among other characteristics.
Soil Flooding
If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, you can help your foundation avoid most of the worst of it by installing flood vents, a sump pump, or a sump pit, which will prevent water from accumulating for too long and damaging the concrete. You can also seal your basement to prevent water from infiltrating it and causing structural damage to the foundation from the inside.
Signs of Poor Exterior Drainage
Poor exterior drainage can lead to a range of issues that leave signs you should look out for.
- Water pooling: Remember that If water is not properly drained away from a home’s foundation, it can accumulate and cause damage to the foundation walls.
- Cracks: Water pooling or leaking into your home can lead to damage and instability that results in cracks and structural issues, which can be costly to repair.
- Musty odors: Additionally, poor drainage can lead to musty odors and mold growth, which can be hazardous to a home’s occupants.
If you notice any of these signs, it may be necessary to inspect and repair your foundation drainage system.
Key Components of the Exterior Drainage System of a House and How to Improve Them
Your exterior drainage system is composed of three main parts: Number one, the slope of your lot, which should help the water run away from your property; number two, your roof gutters; and number three, a well-designed foundation drain can help prevent these issues and ensure the longevity of a home.
1. The Slope Of Your Lot
When building a home, it’s vital to make sure that the lot it’s built on slopes away from the foundation on all sides. If you feel like the soil around your foundation is overly damp after each rain or watering session, or if you have doubts about whether the ground around your house actually slopes away from it, you might want to have an expert look. They can inspect the lot to see if it’s level and grade the soil around your home if needed. There are many measures that can be implemented if you find out you’re sitting on a negative slope. Here, too, installing an exterior drain tile system can further enhance the effectiveness of your lot’s slope in directing water away from your foundation.
2. Roof Gutters
When rain falls on the roof of your house and then rolls off to the sides, your gutters carry it away from the foundation into the spout. It’s as simple as that, but you’d be surprised at how many people neglect to clean and maintain their gutters and water spouts, which makes the rainwater overflow onto the sides of the house and directly onto the floor over your foundation.
Regular maintenance of your gutters is a crucial part of foundation drainage work to ensure water is effectively directed away from your home. Take some time each year to clear out your roof gutters and water spouts from any debris that can create a blockage, such as twigs, rotten leaves, or whatever else. Also, make sure that the spout is carrying the water sufficiently away from your home so it doesn’t end up damaging your foundation anyway.
3. Exterior (and Interior) Drains and Pumps
Installing foundation drainage systems are essential for preventing water damage and protecting the structural integrity of a home. The four types of foundation drainage systems each play a unique role in redirecting water away from the foundation, reducing the risk of leaks, erosion, and foundation shifts. These four are;
- French drain: This is a type of exterior drainage system that consists of a perforated drain pipe surrounded by gravel and landscape fabric. It is installed around the perimeter of a home’s foundation to collect and redirect water away from the foundation. They are great for redirecting groundwater, preventing water accumulation in areas with poor drainage or heavy rainfall, reducing soil erosion and reducing hydrostatic pressure
- Footing drainage: This, on the other hand, is a type of drainage system that is installed at the footing level of a home’s foundation. A footing drain consists of a perforated pipe that collects water and directs it away from the foundation. By preventing water from building up around the foundation, footing drains reduce the risk of hydrostatic pressure, which can lead to cracks, leaks, and structural weakening, helping to maintain the integrity of the foundation over time.
- Grading drainage: This is a technique that involves sloping the ground away from a structure to direct water away from the foundation by reshaping the landscape. It is installed by excavating or adding soil to create a consistent grade that channels water away from the building. Proper grading prevents water from pooling around the base of the house, reducing the risk of soil erosion, basement leaks, and foundation damage caused by water infiltration or shifting soils. This helps maintain a stable and dry environment around the home’s foundation, protecting it from long-term water-related issues.
- Sump Pit and Sump Pump: This is designed to collect and remove excess water from below a building’s foundation, preventing flooding and water damage. The sump pit is installed in the lowest part of the basement or crawl space, where it receives water from a drain tile system, and a pump is placed inside to automatically discharge water away from the foundation when the pit fills. This is particularly useful if the soil your house is sitting on is prone to excessive water absorption.
Bonus Tip:
Whether you have an automated irrigation system or you do it the old-fashioned way, your landscaping should be done away from your foundation. Make sure that your sprinklers are not pointed toward your house or that their spray doesn’t linger too long on the soil over your foundation, resulting in excess water saturating the soil around your foundation. If you do it with a hose, just make sure that you’re not overwatering because that can cause soil erosion and water damage to the concrete of your foundation. Additionally, installing an interior drain tile system can help manage water that enters your basement, directing water flow to a sump pit for removal.
Closing Thoughts
Excess water is bad news for your foundation; that much is clear. A proper exterior drainage system and not overusing your automated irrigation system will do wonders to prevent the damage that water can do to a concrete foundation. It’s also important to do regular checkups on the state of your foundation, so don’t hesitate to call our team at Xpert Foundation Repair to do so! We are foundation repair professionals that have the latest tech and years of experience to back up our work.
