How Poor Yard Drainage Can Cause a Flooded Basement
Basement floods are a homeowner’s nightmare. Sometimes, all it can take is a severe storm or seasonal snowmelt to turn your once-dry basement into a disaster zone, causing costly property damage and putting the rest of your home at risk. What many homeowners don’t realize, however, is that flooding risks often start outside the home.
Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions is your basement waterproofing expert in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Here, we explain the relationship between yard drainage and flooded basements and how our drainage services can protect your home.
How Drainage Problems Cause Floods
Poor yard drainage occurs when your yard has low points with no exit for water to drain. When water accumulates from snow melt and storms, it flows or percolates downward to the lowest point in the area, where it collects if there’s nowhere else for it to go. You might notice spongy ground, swampy zones, or even standing puddles after it rains, caused by water that’s not draining properly. This can lead to several problems:
- Hydrostatic pressure: Water has a density of nearly 1000 kilograms per cubic meter, exerting a force on everything around it, including basement walls.
- Soil swells: When soil absorbs large amounts of water, it swells and puts additional pressure on underground structures like basement walls and foundations.
- Frozen earth: Water also expands when it freezes, so if your yard is extremely moist before a cold snap, that water will freeze – putting additional stress on your basement.
Over time, basement walls will crack under that additional weight and pressure. Even the smallest crack gives water an entry point. Now given somewhere to go, all that water will flow out of your yard and downward – into your basement.
What Causes Poor Yard Drainage?
Most yard drainage issues are caused by improper grading. Grading refers to the slopes created around the house and yard. When done correctly, your home should be the high point, with the yard sloping downward. This encourages water to flow away from the home. However, poorly graded yards may slope toward the house. As water flows downhill, it is forced to pool right next to your foundation, resulting in soil swells, frozen earth, and other problems that can lead to basement floods.
Other issues may also be responsible. If your yard already has a drainage system, such as a French drain or dry well, the system may be clogged or deteriorating – reducing its effectiveness. It may also be inadequately designed to provide the drainage your yard needs.
Identifying the Problem
Poor yard drainage is not always self-evident. While some cases may result in noticeable mud or puddles, water may just as easily collect underground where it isn’t noticed until it’s too late.
If you notice a problem in your basement – whether it’s a damp corner, cracked foundation, or bulging wall – contact a basement waterproofing expert. Our team at Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions utilizes the latest technology to evaluate the problem. Hydrostatic pressure tests measure the weight of water against your basement walls. Percolation tests examine the rate at which water percolates through your yard soil. Both tests are invaluable for detecting drainage issues before disaster strikes.
Designing a Solution
Once we have detected a problem and pinpointed its source, the Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions team will design an effective solution to improve yard drainage. Our solution will direct water away from your home, preventing flooding and protecting your foundation. Some of the tactics we employ include:
- French drains: This method utilizes a buried pipe with perforations to let water in. The pipe collects groundwater as it percolates downward, diverting it away from your home.
- Trench drains: A trench drain operates similarly to a French drain, but sits closer to the surface and is covered only with a grate. This method is best for redirecting rainwater and runoff before it soaks into the soil.
- Dry wells: A dry well is an underground structure that collects water as it flows downward. The well then disperses water evenly into the soil, preventing pooling and run-off.
We also maintain and repair existing dry wells and French drains. We will inspect the system for issues, eliminating clogs and replacing aging components as necessary to restore its effectiveness.
Prevent Flooded Basements With Yard Drainage Solutions
Sometimes, protecting your basement begins outdoors. Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions offers yard drainage services to prevent standing water that may lead to basement flooding. Our service includes free estimates, 0% interest financing, and a lifetime warranty as a guarantee of our quality. Contact us today to find out more or to request a free estimate for drainage services in PA, NJ, or DE.
