Foundation Water Damage Problems and Solutions – DIY Helpful Tips!

Seven Foundation Water Problems and Solutions

Seven Foundation Water Problems and Solutions

1. Problem: Poor Drainage

You see water pooling around the foundation. What causes it? Little or no slope on the ground lets water stay where it is instead of draining away. The ground is so hard that water cannot soak down and drain away. The house has no gutters, and the gutters and downspouts are not working correctly.

Consequences:

Pooling water saturates the soil, causing it to expand and put pressure on the foundation. Eventually, the pressure becomes too much. Your foundation cracks and leaks.

Six Solutions:

1. Improve Grading. Make sure the ground slopes away from the foundation. The gradient must be at least 6 inches over the first 10 feet.
2. Install Downspout Extensions. Use downspout extensions to prevent water pooling near the house’s base. Ensure they direct water at least 5-10 feet from the foundation.
3. Add Swales or Berms. Prevent erosion around foundation slabs and garages with swales and berms.
4. Add Gravel or Mulch Beds. Place gravel or mulch around the foundation. Both help disperse absorption and slow water runoff, reducing erosion risks and slab leaks.
5. Install Channel Drains or French Drains. Drains redirect surface water from the foundation, protecting against erosion.
6. Use Retaining Walls. Is your home built on a steep slope? Add a retaining wall between your home and where the land slopes down to the house. The wall manages water flow and prevents soil erosion around the foundation.

2. Gutter Problems

Clogged or undersized gutters and downspouts overflow during heavy rains. Roof runoff floods foundations, over-saturates soil, and leaks into the house.

Consequences:

Water near the foundation leads to soil erosion. Two things happen. Water washes away soil and leaves the foundation with less support. Water pools around the foundation and saturates the soil. Both cause pressure on the foundation, causing it to sink or heave. Neither is good, as both lead to increased hydro-static pressure, causing leaks and foundation cracks. Help prevent foundation problems with the following solutions.

Three Solutions:

1. Upgrade the gutters and downspouts. Make sure to do spring and falling cleaning, flushing out clogged downspouts, and scooping out cluttered gutters.
2. Gutters guards are a must. They keep leaves and sticks out, keeping gutters so that water drains toward downspouts.
3. Install Splash Blocks. The force of the water coming out of downspouts can drill a hole into the ground. What you want is to redirect that force, so water is pushed away from the foundation. Splash blocks do the trick.

3. High Water Table Problems

A high-water table causes water to build up around and under foundations. Your home experiences increased hydro-static pressure on the foundation.

Consequences:

You are more likely to see flooding if you have a high-water table. The ground only has so much absorption capacity. Once it gets soaked, the excess water starts to flood surrounding areas. Back to what we mentioned before about over-soaked soil, the extra pressure causes foundation cracks and heaving/sinking slabs.

Three Solutions:

1. Install Footing Drains (Perimeter Drains). Place drains around the base of the foundation. This will capture groundwater and direct it away from the structure.
2. Use a Sump Pump. If you have persistent groundwater issues, use a sump pump. It removes water around the foundation. Make sure that wherever the water is pumped, it is set up to drain the water toward a drainage area.
3. Apply Foundation Waterproofing. Use foundation waterproofing material to keep your foundation dry. Waterproofing fabric gets put around the foundation walls. It helps prevent water infiltration and reduce the risk of leaks.

5. Improper or Clogged French Drains

Over time, French drains get clogged with debris. Clogged drains reduce their ability to manage water.

Consequences:

Clogged drains lead to water accumulation near the foundation. Your soil becomes over saturated, increasing hydro-static pressure. Damage caused by the pressure includes foundation leaks and cracks.

Three Solutions:

1. Clean and Flush French Drains Regularly. Flushing the system can help clear debris and maintain proper water flow.
2. Add Geotextile Fabric. Installing fabric around the gravel in French drains helps prevent soil and sediment clogs.
3. Check Outlets and Pipes for Obstructions. Prevent clogs from happening by regularly inspecting the drains and pipes.

6. Clay Soil Expanding and Contraction

Think of clay soil like you would a sponge. Sponges get wet and expand. Cloy soils do the same thing. It expands as it soaks up water. Expanding clay soil puts pressure on the foundation. What gets wet will dry out. Conversely, it shrinks during dry periods, leading to soil gaps.

Consequences:

Foundation walls and slabs crack from expanding and contracting soil.

Three Solutions:

1. Install Perimeter Drainage with a Gravel Back-fill. Gravel improves water flow around clay soil, reducing saturation and expansion risks.
2. Add Vegetation to Stabilize soil. Plant ground cover or shrubs to help reduce soil erosion. Vegetation improves moisture regulation around the foundation. See our suggestions on the best grasses to plant around foundations.
3. Use Moisture-Control Systems. Reduce expansion and contraction with moisture barriers or soil treatments. In some cases, this extra step may help regulate soil moisture.

7. Foundation Slab Leak Problems

Water seeping through cracks worsens over time. You start seeing foundation leaks, mildew, and mold.

Consequences:

Water leaks are the worst. With foundation water leaks, water cups up through the cracks. You see damage to walls and floors.

Three Solutions:

1. Seal Foundation Cracks. Use hydraulic cement or epoxy to fill cracks and prevent water intrusion.
2. Apply Waterproof Coatings. Add a waterproof sealant to the foundation walls. It helps prevent water from penetrating the concrete.
3. Install interior French drains to capture water seeping through walls. Use a sump pump, which will pump water out and away from the foundation.

Foundation Water Damage Problems and Solutions

Use our suggestions and take care of problems before they cause foundation damage. Effective drainage systems protect against erosion, soil saturation, and structural damage. They maintain the long-term stability and integrity of the home. Installation is only the first step. Make sure to inspect and maintain these systems regularly. Installation and maintenance ensure drainage systems function for the long term.
Are you looking to review your drainage system? Make sure to keep an eye out for foundation cracks and seepage. If you spot foundation damage, contact us for a foundation inspection.

See All In Series:

1. Six Foundation Drainage Systems Options
2. Best Types of Foundation Systems, Mix & Match
3. Foundation Drainage Maintenance
4. Foundation Water Damage Problems & Solutions
5. How to Improve Clay Soil Drainage
6. Foundation Drainage Material – DIY Water Control
7. Foundation Drainage Installation Costs
8. Foundation Drainage Material, Why and How they Work
9. Best Drainage Rock to Safeguard Your House Foundation