As the weather warms, snow and ice melt, and we move into the rainy spring season, it is important as a homeowner to take stock of how your property is handling the excess water. Protecting the integrity of a home’s foundation by checking for proper drainage and ensuring water is flowing away from the property will save you time, money, and hassle in the future. Rather listen? Jump to check out this video on the subject below.

Why is it so important to keep water away from your home’s foundation? 

Minor shifts in a home’s foundation due to the natural movement of the earth are inevitable over time. This is especially true in our midwest, Central Indiana location where the soil is prone to expanding and contracting with water flow. Though some shifting overtime may be inevitable, preventing an excess build-up of water around the foundation will prevent major cracks and weakening of the concrete, which could be detrimental to your home long-term.

Though drainage issues can cause large amounts of damage to your yard and home, they are also simply unappealing. Imagine trying to have an outdoor barbeque a few days after a rainfall and having your guest’s feet squish into a lawn that still has sitting water? Doesn’t exactly scream, “summer fun.” It is best long-term to address these issues when first noticed, both for the sanctity of your home’s foundation and your backyard festivities.

What to look for if you suspect drainage problems:

• Sitting surface water on your property
• Mulch or soil washing out around the base of the home
• An uneven surface that slopes towards your home’s foundation instead of away from it.

Sometimes the grading of surrounding houses can also contribute to water draining towards your home instead of away from it. Other builders may not have taken into account how the foundations would affect one another. Luckily, if any of these tell-tale signs affect your property, there are ways to alleviate drainage problems and keep your home’s foundation safe.

Simple Drainage Solutions 

Burying downspouts out of mulch beds and redirecting them away from the base of the home is the easiest solution. This simple solution will carry water farther out into the yard, preventing pooling on uneven ground and sending water out and away. Solving a build-up of water around your home could also be as simple as clearing your gutters or adjusting the angles of your plant beds to avoid sloping towards the house. Even simply selecting a drain grate versus a pop-up drain, can prevent clogs during heavy rains.

For instance, a pop-up drain can fail due to grass growing into the pop-up, leaf litter, limbs, and other debris becoming trapped in the line. There’s no way to tell there’s a clog until a heavy rain, and then it’s usually too late resulting in flooding at the gutter connection. A drain grate is not affixed with a screw like a pop-up drain allowing for easy maintenance and natural line cleaning. During heavy rains, there is enough pressure in the line for them to pop off and clear naturally. Whether burying downspouts or selecting the proper drain cover, Property Pros can help you determine the best solution for your situation.

Extreme Cases 

In extreme cases of drainage issues, custom solutions like regrading the yard or building a dry creek may be the optimal solution. Regrading your yard would mean redistributing soil to create surfaces that do not allow water to pool or flow towards the home. A dry creek is essentially a trenched area constructed with rocks and stones that will provide a place for water to funnel. After large precipitation events, the dry creek will look like a creek running through your yard, creating a peaceful, attractive landscape feature while still funneling water flow away from the property.

Resolve Drainage Issues Before Starting a Project

If you are considering installing a patio, pool, or otherwise upgrading your yard, it’s even more essential to resolve potential sitting water problems. Starting the build with proper grading that carries water away from new surfaces will prevent unattractive and damaging pooling in unwanted areas.

Every property is unique, so if you suspect water drainage problems in your yard that could affect your home’s foundation or are causing you aesthetic issues now, give us a call. We will be happy to assess your potential drainage problems and implement functional solutions that work with your landscaping.

Remember, leaving drainage issues unaddressed is asking for costly problems down the road. While drainage isn’t a fun topic for most, but it is vital to resolve these issues to prevent extreme damage later on.

Watch Property Pros owner, Josh Springer and Executive Director, Jeff Mull discuss the importance of water drainage.

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