Proper Landscape Drainage for a Dry Basement

interior French Drain Installation
Interior French Drains, the Best Option
February 15, 2021
Flooded Basement
Top 5 Steps to Take When Your Basement Floods
March 19, 2021
interior French Drain Installation
Interior French Drains, the Best Option
February 15, 2021
Flooded Basement
Top 5 Steps to Take When Your Basement Floods
March 19, 2021

Proper Landscape Drainage for a Dry Basement

Improper drainage around your home can lead to basement flooding, mold issues, foundation cracking, and other types of water damage.

At D-Bug Waterproofing our knowledge of flooded basements extends beyond your foundation.  We understand the dynamics of the water in the environment around your home too.

Making sure the drainage systems on your property are in proper working order is important to prevent further damage, but it is often difficult to pinpoint exactly what is causing drainage systems to function improperly. Here are some causes of basement water damage and how D-Bug Waterproofing can solve them for you and your family.

Common Causes of Basement Flooding

Water Pooling in Yard Causing Wet BasementFor homes in the greater Pittsburgh area, geography often plays a major role in the behavior of water around your home’s foundation. Homes built on inclines or hills are especially susceptible to damage during heavy precipitation from the downhill flow of water.

The landscaping around your home is also a contributing factor to soil drainage and basement water damage.

Many homes in the Pittsburgh area are built on soil with poor drainage. If your yard becomes swampy with pools of water after a rainstorm, there may be an issue with your yard’s drainage systems. When water accumulates in the soil around the home, it can push against the foundation and cause cracks or leaks. This only becomes worse when winter weather causes all that moisture to freeze.

Even if the landscaping is well maintained and the soil around the foundation drains properly, basement flooding can still occur if the home’s existing drainage systems break or were improperly installed. Old or faulty downspouts that have not been directed away from your home properly and can hurt the foundation more than help it.

Old exterior French drains are prone to clogging from the dirt and sediment accumulating inside the drain, reducing effectiveness. Improperly graded patios allow water to pool up on their surfaces, trapping it against the basement walls.

Mulch packed too closely to the home’s foundation can unwittingly create a trap for excess water to accumulate around the foundation.

The same goes for trees and shrubs that are planted too near the foundation walls. These plants create shade that makes it difficult for the sun to evaporate moisture in the soil or the mulch beneath them. The roots from these plants can also grow too close to the foundation walls and displace the soil near it, especially if the plants are several years old. This displacement of soil could create more potential entry points for water to enter your basement through cracks.

To avoid damage to your home’s foundation from aging or faulty landscaping, it’s important to have someone who understands water flow in the environment as much as someone who knows foundation repair.  With over 70 years of experience, D-Bug Waterproofing’s basement repair experts are trained to spot and fix basement water problems with our proven effective services.

Home with landscape sloping away, good drainageD-Bug Fixes Leaky Basements

Improper grading is one of the main causes of basement water issues. To fix improper landscape grading, D-Bug may remove dirt where it is not needed and add dirt where it is. Properly grading the soil around the home to redirect water away from the foundation helps keep water from pooling up and pushing against the basement walls.

To further improve soil drainage, a French drain system may be added around the perimeter of the foundation. French drain systems consist of a long, perforated pipe that allows water to flow into it. The pipe channel directs water either away from the home or into a sump pump. French drains come in both exterior or interior systems, and the type of system used is dependent on what works best for your home.

In many cases, an interior French drain is most effective because it is easier to install and maintain. Interior French drains are installed in channels underneath the basement floor joints and are created by jackhammering into the concrete to create a channel for the pipe. The perforated pipe is then laid inside, where it directs the water that runs up against the basement walls into a sump pump, which pumps the water away.

D-Bug Waterproofing is also expert in storm drainage systems, including downspout lead offs, storm drains, and catch basins. These systems catch water and debris, guiding it away from your home.

Prevent Basement Flooding With D-Bug

D-Bug Waterproofing goes above and beyond what a general contractor does. Our expertise doesn’t stop at simply waterproofing and foundation repair. We offer comprehensive services for landscape regrading, home assessment, patio design, cement and excavation services, and much more. To learn more about our services, or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at 1-855-381-1528, or visit our website today.