Homeowners often experience a flooded basement due to poor drainage. While sump pumps and dehumidifiers inside the house can help, they prevent water from entering the house more effectively. Water directed away from a foundation can drastically reduce the chances of a basement becoming wet. This article will explore practical landscaping tips for preventing a wet cellar and discuss the need for professional water removal services.
- The Foundation Should Be Graded Properly
The slope in the soil surrounding your house is critical to directing water away. The ground slope should be at least 5 percent (about 6 inches) from your house. If the soil slopes to the house, water will flow towards the basement, increasing the likelihood of leaks.
The following are some tips to help you improve the grading in your yard:
- Add some soil near your foundation: It will help create a slope to direct the water away.
- Use clay-based soil: The soil is more compact and resists evaporation better than sandy soil.
- Regularly inspect slopes: Regrade areas where erosion occurs.
Check the grade annually to ensure its integrity.
- Installing A French Drain And Dry Creek Bed
If your house is in an area with heavy rainfall, a French drain or a dry brook bed can help divert excess moisture away from its foundation. These systems are intended to direct water away from the foundation and into a garden bed or storm sewer, where it can be managed properly.
- French Drain: A pipe with perforations buried under a gravel trench makes up French drainage. The water is gathered by the pipe and sent away from your foundation. It works best in areas with a tendency to accumulate water.
- Dry Creek Bed Dry Creek Beds consist of a shallow trench with stones. They are used as a natural drainage system. It not only helps direct water but also adds to the aesthetics of the landscape.
For both solutions, make sure the endpoint drainage system is far away enough from the building to prevent water from seeping into the basement. If your yard suffers from persistent drainage issues, contact a water removal service to assess and recommend the right drainage solution.
- Use Downspout Extensions
Downspouts carry water from the foundation and roof but can seep into basements if discharged too near the house. By directing the water 4-6 feet from the foundation, downspouts can help.
Installing Downspout Extensions
- Connect flexible extensions to your downspouts. Position them so the water flows away from you, downhill.
- Bury your extensions underground to improve your landscape’s appearance and water drainage.
Simple and cost-effective, downspout extension is an excellent way to avoid water pools near your foundation.
- Install An Exterior Drainage Or Sump Pump
An exterior drainage or sump pump may be necessary for homes in flood-prone locations or with basement moisture issues.
- Exterior Drainage: Installing an exterior drainage system around the foundation, such as perimeter drains, will collect and divert groundwater from the house.
- Sump pumps: A pump installed in the cellar can remove accumulated water. While a basement sump can be installed to remove accumulated water, it is best combined with outside drainage and landscaping to reduce water volume significantly.
If you are unsure whether a sump pump or exterior drainage system will best suit your home, consult a professional water removal service.
- Mulch Wisely All Around The Foundation
Mulching improves the appearance of your yard and helps retain soil moisture. However, you must avoid using excessive mulch around the foundation, as excessive mulch can damage it.
- Apply a mulch layer not more than 2-3 inches thick.
- Choose those that drain quickly instead of mulch materials that retain too much water. Examples include pine bark and wood chips.
Conclusion
To avoid a waterlogged basement, it is important to make landscaping choices that will direct the water away. The likelihood of water damage may be significantly decreased by constructing French drainage systems, dry streams, rain gardens, downspout extensions, and proper grading. Professional water removal services can assist with serious or persistent issues. This will allow you to find the most effective drainage methods for your basement. You can protect your house from water damage by taking proactive steps.