Do you notice puddles and standing water in your yard? While you can expect this after a rainy day, a wet lawn several days following a storm can point to a drainage problem. Drainage issues around your home can spell trouble for much more than the health of your lawn. As water pools and saturates the soil around your foundation, it can cause the ground to swell and shift. And when placed under the stress of this instability, your foundation can crack. At WCK Foundation Repair, we understand the importance of proper drainage. Follow these three residential drainage tips to protect your home’s foundation.
Try These Residential Drainage Tips
South Louisiana homes are built on unique, expansive, clay-laden soil. This soil type expands as it gets wet and retracts during dry spells. This constant movement can wreak havoc on your home’s foundation. By correcting drainage in your yard, you can prevent potential damage to your foundation. Here are some simple residential drainage tips for maintaining the flow of water around your home.
Tip #1: Divert Excess Water
Channeling water away from your home is the essential goal of drainage. Water serves a very important role in your landscaping. However, too much can be just as damaging as too little. Diverting the excess away from your home and off of your lawn is the most important objective. This can be done by installing the right drainage solutions for your home.
- Gutters
- Down Spouts
- Catch Basins
- Channel Drains
- PVC Drains
- And Sump Pumps
Tip #2: Make Smart Landscaping Choices
Low-lying spots in your yard can be problematic by nature. These areas will collect and hold water, preventing it from moving away from your home. Consider creating swales, or linear channels that collect water and direct it away from your home. Or, add water-thirsty plants around your property to help divert and soak up excess water. This can help balance your soil’s moisture content.
Tip #3: Keep Your Gutters Clean
As water rolls down the angled surface of your roof, it collects in the metal gutters that line the lower edge of your roof. Next, the water flows to downspouts, directing the stream away from your home. Without gutters and downspouts, water can roll off your roof and gather at your home’s foundation. When the ground becomes oversaturated, it can lead to shifting and cracking of your slab.
Even if you already have gutters and downspouts installed around your home, they can become clogged with leaves and debris over time. This prevents water from funneling into your gutters and through the downspouts. As part of your regular home maintenance, make sure to check your gutters and downspouts for blockages at least twice a year to maintain proper drainage.
Your Next Steps
These are only a few residential drainage tips and fundamentals of yard drainage. Some can be done in a few hours, while others may be a week-long project. Even still, some changes to your drainage could require professional expertise.
When it comes to the safety and value of your home, investing in quality drainage can save you some serious money, time, and headaches down the road. And if you’ve had your foundation repaired or think you may need your foundation inspected, taking care of any drainage issues is a top priority. Don’t fix your foundation without first addressing drainage concerns!
Partner With the Foundation Repair Company Louisiana Trusts
For over 30 years, WCK Foundation Repair has helped South Louisiana home and business owners. We provide the only proven method to repair foundations built upon our state’s unique soil. In addition to foundation repair, we offer drainage work to protect your foundation’s integrity. So whether your foundation is damaged or you want to prevent potential damage, trust the local experts.
If you are interested in a drainage estimate, reach out to us today to schedule an appointment at the most convenient time for you. Give us a call at 225-664-5956 to speak with a member of the WCK Foundation Repair team. Or, send us a message with any questions. Whether you have drainage problems or foundation repair needs, our experts are ready to help.
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