Drainage doesn’t only play a major role in making sure that your landscaping remains nice but could also affect the integrity of the house. Poor drainage can lead to water penetrating into the foundation causing widespread and costly damage. When left unattended, this issue can compound and leave you with a large bill. This is why you have to be prepared for these issues and know how to address them. Let’s take a look at some of the most common drainage issues homeowners have to deal with and how to fix them.
Many homeowners do not pay much attention to drainage related issues. This is an area, which should be made the most attention in a household. Homeowners should properly invest in a trench drain system to ensure that there are no leakages, spillages or breakdowns in the entire drainage process. If you want to make sure that you do not devalue your house, you need to ensure that adequate steps are taken to protect the drainage system.Â
Poor Grading Near the Foundation
One of the most widespread drainage problems is when water starts pooling at the base of the property. This is what will lead to water seeping in and not only affecting the foundation, but the interior of the house as well. Drywall can get seriously damaged by water and need to be completely replaced.
This is why you should work with a landscape drainage contractor to see if the grading around the house could be improved. This will allow water to move away from the property. Another thing you could do is install an underfloor drainage system that includes a catch basin attached to a pipe.
Traps
Poor grading can also lead to water traps forming in your landscape. Small depressions can form which will prevent water from escaping. This will end up killing your plants and turf and create a swampy mess.
This, however, can be fixed by doing something like installing creek beds in specific areas. Not only will they allow stormwater to circulate but could actually enhance the look of your backyard. If that’s not an option, then another choice could be to use a sump pump system that would allow you to remove the water mechanically.
Poor Landscape Design
Another issue with drainage is poor landscape design, especially when it comes to flower beds. When designed improperly, flower beds can end up hindering the natural flow of water. Water can end up accumulating around your flowers and drowning them. Or the water may start going in a direction that wasn’t intended and cause additional damage.
Gutter Spouts
Gutters can also be the cause of drainage issues and can also lead to damage over the long term. For instance, if your gutter spouts are redirecting water towards your flower beds, they could end killing them. Gutters that let the water flow along the side of the house can lead to foundation damage. It could also be an issue if it overflows over paved surfaces.
The solution here is to make sure to pay special attention to the flow of water coming out of your gutters and redirect it. You should also always make sure that they are clean of any material that could affect flow.
These are some of the most common drainage issues you might have to deal with as a homeowner. Now that you know them, you’ll be better able to prepare and make sure that they don’t happen in the first place.
