Your home’s foundation is built to withstand the elements and serve as a strong and stable base for your home. While foundations are powerful, standing water around a foundation can lead to serious foundation issues over time if not corrected. At Tom’s Basement Waterproofing, we have helped metro Detroit home and business owners keep their foundations strong and sturdy since 1975. One of the most common preventable causes of foundation damage we see in our customers’ foundations is poor drainage of water. Let’s look at the connection between poor drainage and foundation damage and the steps to prevent foundation damage.
How Water Can Damage Your Foundation
Water can damage the foundation of a building in several different ways. When water accumulates around a foundation, it can exert hydrostatic pressure, erode soil, and alter the stability of the ground. Hydrostatic pressure is the force that water builds up around a foundation and applies to your foundation. Over time, hydrostatic pressure can lead to:
- Cracks in walls and floors
- Bowing or bulging basement walls
- Water intrusion through foundation seams
Soil erosion is another way water can weaken your building’s foundation through uneven settling. Soil erosion threatens the health of your foundation by:
- Causing uneven settling
- Causing vertical or diagonal cracks in foundation walls
- Misaligned doors and windows
Finally, water accumulating around your foundation can contaminate your basement, damage your property, and cause mold and mildew to grow. At the first sign of poor drainage and standing water around your basement, contact Tom’s Basement Waterproofing to have your foundation evaluated.
Causes of Poor Drainage Around Your Foundation
While poor drainage can lead to severe foundation damage over time, there are steps you can take to prevent and correct drainage issues. Improper grading of your land around the foundation is one of the leading causes of poor drainage. The ground should be sloped away from your home to prevent water from accumulating around your foundation. Downspouts should also have extensions that direct water at least six feet away from the base of your foundation. Clogged gutters can also contribute to standing water around your foundation, as rainfall can run off your roof. If you notice these issues, you should address them before they become foundation issues.
Ways to Fix Poor Drainage Around a Foundation
You can take several steps to fix drainage problems around your foundation. Regarding your property, you can add a natural slope to the ground to allow water to run away from your foundation, preventing it from standing and saturating the ground. If your home has downspouts, extensions can be purchased and added to help direct rainwater away from your home. Keeping gutters clean so that rain can be captured and redirected instead of being allowed to run off your roof is also helpful. Finally, waterproofing membranes can be added to your foundation to prevent water intrusion, and French drains can be installed to capture and remove standing water. Contact Tom’s Basement Waterproofing today for help with these repairs and other foundation and basement waterproofing services.
Solve Drainage Issues Around Your Foundation With Help From Tom’s Basement Waterproofing
To get help with drainage issues and foundation repairs in the metro Detroit area, contact Tom’s Basement Waterproofing today at (586) 949-7826. With over five decades of service, we are proud to be Metro Detroit’s local family-owned basement and foundation repair provider.