How to Keep Water Away from House Foundations

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Foundation Drainage Systems Value: How to Keep Water Away from House Foundations

Foundation Drainage Systems Value: How to Keep Water Away from House Foundations

Foundation drainage systems help keep water away from house foundations, protecting homes from water damage. How do they work? It is relatively basic. Drainage systems direct water away from the house foundations. Different foundation drainage systems each have their components and ideal use cases.

Six Foundation Drainage Systems Options:

1. Surface Drainage (Swales, Grading)

Purpose: To redirect surface-level water away from the foundation.

Components:

Foundation Swales: Shallow ditches or depressions that channel surface water away from the foundation.
Downspout Extensions: Extension pipes attach to downspouts and move water further from the foundation.
Grading: Land around the foundation gets sloped and adjusted to direct water away.

Best Used When: Surface drainage is ideal when there is significant runoff from rainfall or snowmelt. Installers grade the surrounding area to channel water away from the foundation.

Foundation Drainage: Downspout Extension

2. French Drains

Purpose: To capture and redirect groundwater away from the foundation.

Components:

Perforated Pipe: Runs underground to disperse water.
Gravel: Surrounds the pipe, allowing water to flow and drain easily while keeping out soil.
Geotextile Fabric: Wraps the gravel and pipe to prevent sediment from clogging the system.

Best Used When: French drains are for areas with poor surface drainage. They drain water where it pools or has difficulty flowing away. Used in high water table areas, they help move groundwater from the foundation, which helps prevent water from seeping through the foundation.

Foundation Drainage Downspout to french drain

3. Footing Drains (Perimeter Drains)

Purpose: Footing drains get installed at the base of the foundation. They collect and remove groundwater there before seeping into basements or crawl spaces.

Components:

Drain Tile or Perforated Pipe: This runs around the foundation footing. It collects water and moves it to a sump pump or drainage outlet.
Sump Pump: Pumps the water out if gravity drainage is not workable.
Gravel and Fabric: Like French drains, gravel surrounds the pipe, and fabric prevents clogging.

Best Used When: Does your home have a basement or crawl space? Is it also prone to high groundwater levels or heavy rain? If you answered yes to both questions, footing drains may be your answer.

4. Gutter and Downspout Systems

Purpose: Directs roof water away from the foundation to prevent pooling near the house.

Components:

Gutters: Collect rainwater along the roof edges.
Downspouts: Direct water from the gutters down to the ground level.
Splash Blocks or Drainage Pipes: Help to extend the water flow away from the foundation.

Best Used When: They are suitable for all homes but are particularly great for homes experiencing frequent and heavy rain storms. Either way, they are an essential component of any drainage strategy.

5. Dry Wells

Purpose: Provides an underground area that collects excess water. From there, water is gradually absorbed into the surrounding soil.

Components:

Gravel or Crushed Stone: Creates a permeable layer for water to drain.
Concrete, Plastic, or Metal Container: This acts as storage space for water.

Best Used When: Ideal for areas with poor drainage and limited places to direct excess water.

6. Channel Drains (Trench Drains)

Purpose: Collects surface water and directs it to a safe location away from the foundation.

Components:

Grated Drain Channel: Installed at ground level to catch and redirect surface water.
Drainage Pipe: Connects to the channel drain to carry water away.

Best Used When: Channel drains are ideal for paved areas like driveways, patios, or sidewalks. They prevent surface water from collecting around your foundation.

Foundation Drainage Systems Keep Water Away from Foundations

Each type of foundation drainage system is customized and/or combined, allowing the system to be designed to meet your specific needs. Be proactive. Make sure to have a sound foundation drainage system to prevent foundation damage. Do you suspect you have foundation damage? Contact us to schedule a foundation inspection.

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