Signs of a drainage problem may be subtle or glaring, but the long-term consequences are always hard to ignore. Homes are built to keep water out. When something goes awry in construction or maintenance, however, household water damage and/or toxic mold growth may result. Prevention is always the more cost-effective approach to all water damage issues, so be alert to these telltale signs of a drainage problem around your home and get professional advice promptly:
Overflowing Gutters
Proper drainage from the roof during rain and snowmelt is vital to protect against water damage. When gutters overflow, water runs down external walls that aren't constructed to repel a continuous cascade of water. Very quickly, water penetrates siding and interior wall spaces and begins the process of deteriorating wooden structural components and triggering mold growth. The sight of gutters overflowing means they're clogged with debris such as fallen leaves, improperly pitched to drain water properly, or just too small for the square footage of roof they're supposed to drain.
Pooling Near The Foundation
When the landscape around the house is properly graded, water flows away from the foundation perimeter. When the landscape slopes upward from the foundation, however, water pools around the house and continuously saturates the soil adjacent to the foundation and basement walls. This constant water source seeps into the house through basement walls and cracks in the foundation.
Rising Ground Water
You can't do much about the height of the natural water table beneath your house. However, rising ground water exerts hydrostatic pressure on the underside of the foundation, eroding and permeating the concrete, seeping through cracks and causing a continuously damp basement. A properly-installed drain tile system can convey ground water away from the house before it penetrates the basement. A sump pump installed in a basin in the basement floor also provides vital protection against acute ground water intrusion, especially during times of heavy rain or melting snow.
If you see signs of a drainage problem around your house, talk to the professionals at Rytech about options to prevent water damage.
