Exterior Drainage at your Home: Important basement waterproofing tips

Have you ever endured a situation where you find water entering your basement?

Well, then you must know that it can be the most unpleasant condition that can happen in your life.

Water accumulation in the basement can give rise to conditions like the unpleasant smell, the formation of mold, weak foundation and a lot more other issues.

Therefore, it is essential to stop this water from entering your home. But how?

Don’t worry; several exterior drainage solutions might be suitable to resolve such conditions for your home.

To know more about it, keep reading the article until the end to find the best solution.

According to a study that is published by the Concrete Foundation Association (CFA), approximately 85% of the home structural damage is caused by a weak drainage system. The fact is repairing the old drainage system can be extremely costly, so it is essential to deploy some preventive measures to dodge such extra expenditures.

What can give rise to water damage?

Do you have plans to invest in exterior drainage solutions in your home? If yes, then all you need to do is know about what are the things that can go wrong. For most of the surface water is responsible for causing parallel pressure against the foundation walls commencing the following outcomes-

1. Formation of cracks in the foundation walls that may affect the stability of the house
2. Basement leaks may also lead to the flooding of property
3. Unwanted mold growth in the basement area that may create a severe impact on your health
4. Your home value might be compromised due to water damage
5. The scenery might be vitiated

However, only an efficient exterior drainage system can help to resolve such issues and keep the water away from your backyard or the foundation walls.

Four best ways to solve inadequate surface drainage solutions

If you want to resolve the most dreading issues for weak surface drainage system, following are the options that you can consider-

1. French Drain– Exterior French drain consists of a perforated pipe situated in the expansive yard to drain away from the standing water. The procedure involves unearthing a trench that slopes away from your home. Next, a pipe is installed in that trench and then filled with some porous gravels. When the trench is stuffed, it is finally covered.  An exterior French drain is considered as the best solution for standing water as that follows the easiest escape route. The water can effectively seep down to the French tile and drain away from the yard.
2. Footing Drain– This is another highly effective water drainage system where a pipe is installed around the perimeter of the foundation walls on the level with the footing. This pipe collects leaked water from the top of the basement and drains away from the foundation walls. The footing drain is mostly covered up with gravel up to the soil’s surface.
3. Gutter Drainage system– The roof water can give rise to a chaotic situation. However, a gutter drainage system or even a downspout system helps to keep the roof water away from the house walls. The downspout drain must typically extend from the water and preferably direct the water to a storm sewer or catch basin.
4. Grading Drainage- This is a pretty simple technique that involves modifying all the grading to slope away from a house. A professional will finally analyze the required gradient so that the water moves directly into the sewer that is present within the building.

Why and which exterior drainage is right for you?

Out of all the other options discussed above, a French outdoor drain is considered as the best idea to resolve your issue. However, different people may have different options, and their perfect drainage system will vary depending on their property.

A French outdoor drain is a trench-like structure that is connected with pipes and is responsible for moving the water away from home where the first part of this drain is slightly elevated at a higher-end.

The drain field is that place where the groundwater or excess surface water enters the drainpipes up to the second part of the French drain, which is the exit point. This has to be the lowest point of the drainage system where the water leaves the drainage system.

There are several reasons for choosing a French Outdoor drain-

1. This provides an effective and very efficient drainage system that has its ability to move water away from your home.
2. The French drain system is an extremely pocket-friendly system, especially if compared with any other basement waterproofing techniques.
3. This drainage system is capable of transforming the lawn from becoming a damp, spongy one into a garden or a playing field.
4. Last but the most important one is this French drain is not at all a complicated system, and the installation process is relatively easy than any other method.

Important basement waterproofing tips

Now let’s have a look at the bigger picture! No matter how great your drainage system is, do you still find your basement flooded?

Have you ever wondered why?

There is no doubt that basements are incredibly prone to flooding even though they are either partially or entirely constructed underground. Now the groundwater level can be one of the issues, but no matter what the reason is, this can always be inconvenient and may also lead to health risks. Even if the water is removed from the basement area and then the area is dried up, there is still a chance for the molds to grow, which can be harmful to your health.

All that calls for a permanent solution which can be achieved with exterior drainage. But you have to be proactive and take the necessary steps that might affect your pocket.

Following mentioned are some of the best basement waterproofing tips that you must know.

TIP#1

Sealants- Using sealants is one of the most common ways to prevent water from entering through cracks that are present in the concrete of your foundation. Therefore if you are capable of sealing these cracks from inside of your home, then that will probably be the best option waterproofing option for you.

However, some special sealants can be injected into these cracks to seal off and prevent the entry of any moisture. Many types of sealants are available that also comes with several years of warranties.

But if you do not have a foundation crack, then the best thing you can use a concrete waterproofing coating in your basement that can permanently seal against any significant water leaks and dampness.

TIP#2

Rain Gutters- The rain gutters channel is another best waterproofing option that keeps the rainwater away from the foundation of the home. But it is incredibly essential to maintain these gutters as these becomes loaded up with debris. As a result, the water starts overflowing from the sides and overfill the ground near the home.

This excess water will run along the sides of your foundation, and in case there is a crack in the concrete then there are chances that some considerable amount of water might get accumulated in the basement.

The best resolution to this concern is to keep the gutters clean, especially in the Spring and also install a gutter guard that can help prevent the accumulation of leaves.

TIP#3

Downspouts- There are no more doubts and confusions related to the importance of having rain gutters. The downspout is an excellent basement solution that helps in collecting the water from the drains and then disperses it into the ground.

Now if the downspouts in your home are located into poor places, then the water will be collected, and the nearby pool will start seeping water into the ground through cracks present in the foundation.

So it is incredibly crucial for the downspout extension to move the water away from the house by redirecting the water 4 inches away from home. This can create a significant difference in keeping water away from the foundation.

TIP#4

Grading- Proper grading is the crucial basement solution, so you have to make sure that the soil around the foundation must slope away from your home. Why?

Because this will help to reduce the amount of water that comes in contact with the foundation and prevent water leakage, but most of the most recent houses now are constructed on areas with sloping yards.

Sometimes such minor adjustments can be achieved by adding a few inches of dirt right next to your foundation. This can at least help in changing the direction of the slope and then redirect the water.

In general, it is always the best idea to maintain the landscaping soil minimum 6 inches below the top of your foundation. However, if your house is very close to each other, then proper grading might not be possible. In that case, you can build a small trench that can be dug for the water to drain.

However, there is always another choice for finding out a perfect basement solution, but that includes a little more smart work.

What can you do?

It is natural for you to feel helpless under conditions when you find that your basement walls are absorbing water from the soil around. This condition may, however, end up making the basement area damp and humid. Even though some good dehumidifier, some DIY can help provide a temporary solution, but it is always the best idea to hire a professional waterproofing service who can help to resolve such conditions after thoroughly analyzing the situation.

But before finding and calling a professional service, it would be best to prevent further damage. Following are the things that you can do-

1. Find the water source– Basements have solid cemented floors and walls so tracing the streams of water will not be difficult. Check for every possible option including windows, pipes and other water lines that are coming in your house.
2. Find a solution for the cracks-If you have already found the cracks, then it can be easy to fix the issue temporarily. All you can do is using some hydraulic cement over the cracks quickly as they set in just three minutes.
3. Fix the window leaks-Did you just find some window leaks? Window pits can hold a lot of water, especially if the drainage system is not put under the window holes. So fixing the window drainage structures can be very difficult but of course, there are several ways to solve these issues like digging out an area about two feet lower than your window and then pack with gravel. Or you may also install a window well cover that will help to redirect water away from the windows.
4. Protect the walls– You can also use waterproof basement paint mixed with sealants for the bare walls. If this layer is applied correctly, then it can end up to a very desirable option.
5. Call the professionals-The first thing that you should do is find the best waterproofing service near your place. Google search for the “basement waterproofing near me” and then find the best service near your location.

Alternatively, you can also choose our best waterproofing services. Our specialists will visit your home soon and evaluate the condition first. Based on the situation, they will find out a fix that can resolve the problem permanently.

What are you waiting for now? Hurry and schedule an appointment soon!