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Category: Yard drainage

Five Critical Aspects of French Drain Installation

Today, property owners in the Triangle Area frequently request French drain installation as a waterproofing measure. This time-tested technology offers valuable assistance in managing water runoff. Additionally, it frequently helps prevent water from collecting against the perimeter of a home or business.

French Drain Installation

However, installers must exercise care during French drain installation. Potentially, failing to pay close attention to five critical points proves disastrous. The skill of the installer matters in terms of the effectiveness of this improvement.

About French Drains

For generations, landowners in North Carolina have utilized French drains widely as a means of channeling water. This type of improvement helps prevent rain water from pooling in undesired locations. If offer assistance promoting drainage away from man-made structures.

This popular waterproofing measure uses a simple concept. Water flows downhill, from higher elevations towards lower points. A property owner may collect water run off from one site and transport it to another, preferred location.

Five Critical Aspects of a French Drain Installation Project

Although simple in concept, this type of improvement requires care to implement correctly. A faulty French drain installation produces poor results. Also, a property owner may even incur unforeseen expenses and delays. Avoid these problems by paying close attention to five aspects of this important water management project:

1. Direct Water Flow Carefully

First, always ensure a French drain installation does not cause water run off problems for neighboring landowners. The drain may release water onto your own land. Alternatively, it may direct the flow into an approved wastewater run off channel. Lawsuits have arisen due to French drains that improperly spewed run off onto adjacent tracts. Being a considerate neighbor remains the best policy.

2. Maintain a Correct French Drain Gradient

A French drain installation will fail unless the contractor supplies an appropriate gradient. Most sources recommend an inch of depth per eight inches of length. However, many factors potentially impact the slope of the drain. It usually makes sense to discuss this issue with your contractor.

3. Use Recommended Materials

Another issue to address with your contractor concerns the project materials. Today, a variety of products promote French drain installations. Also, an experienced installer may offer assistance obtaining cost-effective supplies. For example, a licensed contractor usually enjoys options for buying perforated pipe (or drainage tiles) in bulk.

4. Install a Filter to Maintain The Anticipated Lifespan of This Improvement

Your contractor should enclose the perforated pipe or drainage tiles within an appropriate filter. This water permeable mesh or cloth helps reduce the buildup of silt and sediment inside the pipe. Adding a filter helps ensure the French drain maintains its anticipated useful lifespan. Sometimes overlooked, this aspect proves important in terms of the drain’s longevity.

5. Take Steps to Prevent Weeds

Finally, experts recommend implementing built-in weed control measures during a French drain installation. Many weeds favor wet locations, and they may seek to tap into perforated water pipes or tiles. These roots can quickly clog a functional French drain, for example. To prevent this problem, ask your contractor to deter weed growth by adding a landscaping fabric barrier. It remains water permeable, but blocks essential sunlight.

Considering these five aspects of French drain installation assists property owners. A correctly installed French drain supplies a valuable water run off management measure. It usually makes a noticeable difference in directing water flows across a yard!

Obtain Expert Assistance

Have you considered installing or maintaining a French drain on your North Carolina property? Furthermore, Raleigh Waterproofing, Inc. offers helpful assistance. We often provide French drain installation services. Additionally, we furnish a variety of innovative waterproofing technologies. Furthermore, contact us to help devise an effective, affordable improvement plan for your real estate.

Our firm specializes in construction projects geared towards creating dry, comfortable basements and crawl spaces. We also offer assistance managing yard drainage and water runoff. Also, our service area covers Raleigh, NC. We respond to client requests in nearby Durham and Chapel Hill, also. Our staff possesses personal familiarity with conditions in the Greater Triangle Area of North Carolina.

If you’d like to explore French drain installation, contact us at 919-877-9969. Please let us know the best time to speak with you. Lastly, we look forward to assisting you!

Why an Experienced Waterproofing Contractor Offers Long Term Solutions For Yard Drainage Issues

Today, property owners discover advantages in asking an experienced waterproofing contractor to solve yard drainage issues. Persistently soggy lawns and garden detract from the pleasure of owning real estate in the Triangle Area. Additionally, standing water sometimes contributes to damp basements and crawl spaces. It makes sense to address yard drainage issues within a comprehensive waterproofing plan.

Yard Drainage Issues

Yard Drainage Issues: A Common Problem

Most people in North Carolina have observed poorly draining lawns and gardens at one time or another. A heavy rain may transform a residential or business lot. Water collects in low-lying spots. The resulting puddles allow people and pets to track mud indoors.

Unfortunately, yard drainage issues sometimes cause these conditions to persist. Property owners may experience problems developing an attractive, lush lawn. Persistent pooled water will kill some landscaping plants. This problem creates barren, muddy patches and promotes the spread of molds and funguses in lawns. Small wonder so many residents of NC desire well-drained landscaping!

The Topography of The Yard Matters

Property owners who research yard drainage issues quickly learn the topography of the yard matters. Even along the same street, one yard may display excellent drainage, while another collects pooled water. The slope and grading of the land and the type of soil conditions usually impact puddle formation.

In some cases, obtaining a permanent solution for yard drainage issues requires assistance from an experienced contractor. It may prove vital to obtain excavation services, for example. Many strategies exist for promoting better water drainage. Customers usually save money by calling upon expert advice to correct this vexing problem.

Choose an Experienced Waterproofing Contractor

Why should you consider selecting an experienced waterproofing contractor to address a yard drainage issue? A number of excellent reasons support this decision. Just consider three advantages a knowledgeable contractor offers in this situation:

1. Obtain Accurate Yard Drainage Solutions

Fixing serious yard drainage issues frequently requires excavations. A waterproofing contractor with a background in construction offers reliable assistance. Most homeowners (and even many landscapers) lack experience conducting excavations. By contrast, a full-time waterproofing contractor utilizes professional grade tools and equipment to complete this type of project.

For example, one possible solution for correcting ponding in a yard requires the installation of a French Drain. Digging a swale may also resolve this problem, in some circumstances. An experienced waterproofing contractor can evaluate the surrounding topography carefully and recommend practical measures to correct drainage problems.

2. Ensure Yard Drainage Solutions Don’t Inadvertently Cause Other Waterproofing Problems

Unfortunately, poorly installed yard drainage solutions sometimes contribute to further waterproofing issues. It does little good to construct a French Drain in the wrong location, for instance. Similarly, placing a water cistern too close to building foundations may ultimately create additional waterproofing concerns.

Property owners gain peace of mind knowing they’ve selected an experienced contractor to resolve yard drainage issues. They gain the assurance excavations won’t cause more problems than they resolve. Additionally, they appreciate work will proceed efficiently, with the assistance of the correct tools and equipment. Hiring an expert ultimately helps solve yard drainage issues cost-effectively.

3. Seek Better Yard Drainage Over The Long Term

An expert waterproofing contractor also provides helpful information about the anticipated useful lifespan of drainage solutions. Over time, some improvements will require replacement. Furthermore, obtaining information about this topic from the outset aids property owners in performing better long term planning.

For instance, sometimes DIY efforts to correct yard drainage issues revolve around the installation of a “rain garden.” While this step will beautify a property, it fails to address the long-term consequences of water-saturated ground. Ultimately, a waterproofing contractor can help you include effective yard drainage solutions within a comprehensive Waterproofing Plan.

Request Waterproofing Services

Have your grounds developed persistent puddles and soggy patches? If you feel concerned about possible yard drainage issues, consider requesting our assistance. Raleigh Waterproofing, Inc. serves clients throughout the Greater Triangle Area. Also, our President holds a license as a General Contractor in North Carolina. We specialize in waterproofing homes and businesses!

Request our services if you live in Raleigh, Durham, or Chapel Hill, NC. We possess extensive experience evaluating and correcting yard drainage issues. Our company offers expertise installing attractively covered French Drains, for example. We also dig swales and water cisterns for customers. Our services enhance property waterproofing.

In fact, we offer a full range of useful excavation and waterproofing skills. Ask us to supply foundation waterproofing repair services. We construct sump stations, install vapor barriers, and provide basement waterproofing and crawl space repair services, too. Call us now at 919-877-9969. Lastly, we look forward to speaking with you!

Address Yard Drainage Problems to Maintain Property Values

Yard drainage problems require corrective action. Without knowledgeable intervention, property owners may risk significant losses over the course of time. In the Triangle Area, Raleigh Waterproofing, Inc. helps customers develop affordable, practical solutions for yard drainage problems.

yard drainage problems

A Complex Issue

A variety of potential causes contribute to poorly draining yards. Also, as Global Warming intensifies, some experts fear harsh storm systems may impact coastal areas with greater frequency. Furthermore, these changes might well magnify water run off issues in other, more inland regions. Residents of North Carolina benefit by addressing yard drainage problems proactively.

Act Promptly

One important consideration in resolving yard drainage problems involves the need for a timely response. Delaying this important home improvement may allow water run off to damage realty. Just consider seven strong reasons to implement corrections as quickly as possible:

1. Poorly Draining Water Run Off Damages Lawns

Gravity causes water to flow downhill. The long-term ponding of water in depressions in lawns produces gardening problems. This situation eventually rots the root systems of turf grasses. Maintain adequate yard drainage systems to avoid this type of preventable property loss.

2. Weeds Flourish in Sites With Long Term Yard Drainage Issues

Additionally, a persistently damp, wet yard may produce environmental changes contributing to weed growth. Different species of plants thrive in variable conditions. By permitting low lying ground to transform into a seasonal pond, property owners sometimes greatly increase lawn care challenges. Weeds may intersperse grasses more easily.

3. Pooling Water in Yards Attracts Mosquitoe Infestations

One strong reason to correct yard drainage problems promptly in North Carolina involves preventing mosquitoe infestations. Also, some species of mosquitoes lay eggs in warm, shallow pools of water. During summer months, ponded yards in this region remain at risk of developing thriving mosquito populations. Also, these blood-sucking insects today spread many unwelcome diseases (including malaria, Zika virus, and West Nile virus).

4. Yard Drainage Problems Frequently Produce Erosion

Examples of erosion caused by water run-off prove numerous. As it drains across a lawn, water gradually carves channels into the ground. Furthermore, heavy flows may carry along topsoil, fertilizer, vegetation, and rock. Eventually, this unplanned run off produces exposed patches of bare earth. It may also leave debris strewn across driveways, sidewalks, patios, and roadsides.

5. Water Run Off Sometimes Causes Destructive Soil Shifting

Over time, yard drainage problems may lead to unplanned terrain changes. Run off degrades (or even collapses) hillsides in certain settings, for example. Soil shifting can occur underground in some places as a result of water drainage patterns. These issues occasionally result in damage to expensive landscaping.

6. Inadequate Yard Drainage Displeases Neighbors

Yard drainage problems often cause tension between neighbors. Property owners may discover inadequate drainage eventually threatens adjoining tracts. Also, most people don’t appreciate living next door to homes on waterlogged sites. Additionally, mosquitoes, weeds, and erosion sometimes impact neighboring yards (and property values) in negative ways. Today, HOAs sometimes initiate subdivision-wide efforts to implement effective water run off solutions.

7. Yard Drainage Problems May Produce Dank Basements And Crawl Spaces

Certainly, long-term dampness poses one of the most serious potential results of poor yard drainage. Also, saturated soil may allow water to pool underground next to foundations and basements. In some cases, run-off collects in unsealed residential crawl spaces. Furthermore, expensive repair bills may ensue from this type of uncorrected water damage.

Maintaining Waterproof Homes And Businesses

By ensuring adequate yard drainage, property owners in the Triangle Area of NC help prevent needless financial losses. Today, a variety of practical solutions help direct rain and melting snow into the desired run-off channels. From swales and water cisterns to French Drains and regrading, many useful improvements address yard drainage problems. Additionally, Raleigh Waterproofing, Inc. offers experienced assistance to customers. We strive to offer cost-effective options to help protect realty against water damage.

Our company possesses extensive contracting and construction expertise. For fast assistance with any waterproofing concern, contact us at 919-877-9969. We serve customers in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Lastly, we look forward to assisting you!

Five Reasons Standing water is a Yard Drainage Problem

The Raleigh, North Carolina Area sometimes experiences heavy downpours. If you notice puddles remaining in some areas of your yard. Also, if they remain for extended periods of time, you might benefit by requesting a property waterproofing inspection. Yard drainage issues impact the presence of standing water frequently contributes to damp, wet conditions in basements and crawl spaces. Therefore, this brief article explores five reasons why stagnant puddles in a yard concern most real estate owners.

Yard Drainage

One: Plant Damage

One of the most visible impacts of pooling water involves a landscaping issue. Soggy, marshy patches of lawn usually disrupt a property owner’s exterior decorating plans. The presence of pooled water in the yard for days, weeks, or months at a time may effectively damage plant roots in the immediate vicinity. Flowers, grass, and other vegetation may die off in these locations. The unsightly results of extended puddle formation often alarm property owners desiring to maintain attractive landscaping.

Two: Erosion

Unfortunately, in some places, stagnant puddles also contribute to erosion and water drainage problems. Water may erode hillsides, flower beds, dirt paths, or gravel driveways as it flows into the lowest sections of the yard, for example. If repeated yard drainage problems persist over an extended period of time, this situation permanently changes the appearance of the property. In some cases, draining water removes topsoil, making it difficult for a landowner to restore the area without seeking the assistance of experts.

Three: Slick Yard Conditions

Persistent puddles in lawns and gardens in this region pose yet another concern for many real estate owners: they contribute to slippery, muddy turf. Also, from a practical standpoint, wet, sloppy areas of ground sometimes cause unexpected slips and falls outdoors. These sites also may result in household pets tracking mud and water into a residence, too (potentially contributing to indoor slips and falls). Slick patches in a yard create housekeeping headaches, as well as safety risks.

Four: Insect Issues

During warmer months of the year, standing water in a yard may promote insect infestations. Recently, considerable media attention has surrounded the dangers posed by mosquitoes. Also, some species of these blood-sucking insects lay their eggs in or near puddles of standing water. Certain types of mosquitoes potentially transmit a number of serious febrile diseases, such as West Nile Virus, Dengue, and Zika Virus (a threat to expecting mothers and unborn children). Different mosquito-borne diseases potentially afflict people and animals. Also, for a variety of excellent reasons, it makes sense to prevent stagnant, pooled standing water in yards and gardens in this region whenever possible.

Five: Waterproofing Problems

Finally, perhaps one of the most financially costly types of property damage associated with standing water relates to residential and commercial waterproofing. Also, water remaining for extended periods of time in puddles in low lying, soggy areas of a lawn frequently indicates water-saturated soils. For instance, water-soaked earth in the vicinity might not absorb additional moisture well, accounting for visible puddles in some parts of the yard. In many cases, rainwater runoff from persistently wet earth seeps gradually into foundations, basements and crawl spaces. Moist conditions in these sites ultimately produce a variety of concerns about possible water damage over the long term. Homeowners should consider taking action to identify and correct these types of yard drainage issues.

A Variety of Possible Yard Drainage Solutions

Fortunately, today a number of excellent (and very effective) strategies exist for resolving yard drainage concerns. Not every solution suits every yard. However, by treating standing water as a potential symptom of a yard drainage issue, landowners often enjoy the best opportunity to fix problems in a timely manner and prevent further property damage. A waterproofing firm may suggest a number of potential corrective measures. Depending upon the unique topography of the yard and the condition of basements and/or crawl spaces. These home improvements help solve many problems caused by standing water. As a result, they create more comfortable, healthier living spaces!

Obtain Experienced Assistance

If you’ve noticed water pooled in your yard for extended periods of time, consider requesting assistance from a full-time waterproofing firm. Founded in 2001, Raleigh Waterproofing, Inc. possesses extensive experience correcting yard drainage and water damage problems. We serve the entire Greater Raleigh, North Carolina Area. Contact us at 919-877-9969 for assistance. Lastly, we offer a full spectrum of affordable waterproofing services, including French Drain installation to help direct water away from foundations and basements.

Helpful Information

1. https://www.cdc.gov/media/dpk/diseases-and-conditions/mosquito-borne-diseases/index.html
2. https://www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention/controlling-mosquitoes-at-home.html
3. https://www.raleighwaterproofinginc.com/yard-drainage/

Yard Drainage can be Advantageous to Your Home

Yard Drainage

Residents of Raleigh, North Carolina frequently use winter months for planning magnificent spring and summer gardens! If you enjoy gardening, waterproofing your home may indirectly benefit your landscaping goals. Developing effective yard drainage systems promotes both waterproofing and better water management.

Yard Drainage Issues

Park-Like Grounds

Experienced lawn care experts recognize the importance of directing water towards certain locations in a yard, and away from other sites. If one area receives too little water, brownish-yellow or bare patches intersperse a lush green lawn. By contrast, over-watering and poor yard drainage both produce soggy, continuously wet spots; these water saturated depressions damage some desirable plants while allowing certain weeds to flourish. (Standing puddles sometimes permit mosquitoes to thrive near the residence, also.)

How can a property owner in the Greater Raleigh Area prevent these problems? Paying close attention to maintaining adequate yard drainage provides a great solution. Consider combining residential waterproofing with lawn and garden water management to help beautify your property this year.

The Roof And Its Gutters: An Important Rain Collection System

One significant source of water sometimes surprises homeowners who rely upon sprinkler systems extensively for watering. Rain supplies one of the most important ways to bring water to growing plants in the yard. In most cases, the potable water expressed from a sprinkler system has undergone treatment previously at a municipal water plant. Yet rain falling directly onto growing vegetation supplies a completely free resource.

If a municipality imposes watering restriction during the hottest summer months to help conserve a heavily utilized public water supply (a common situation in many U.S. cities), homeowners who have previously collected rainwater from their rooftops can often substitute this untreated resource to help maintain their gardens in good condition. During former centuries, rural residents frequently relied upon rain barrels to gather water for some non-potable household uses (like washing laundry or watering the yard). Today, this ancient water collection system still offers a great way to ensure rooftop runoff remains available for yard watering purposes.

Rooftop Gutter Systems Perform an Important Waterproofing Function

Some roofs, in fact, receive extensive precipitation during the course of a typical year. Rain, freezing drizzle, and snow all potentially transmit water onto your grounds. Rooftop gutter systems perform a valuable waterproofing service.

Gutters help channel water runoff away from the home and garage into the desired direction. Unless you maintain an active rain barrel system in place, you’ll want to ensure your gutter system’s downspouts lead to extended cement collection “splatter” blocks. These channels help funnel the water safely away from the perimeter of the residence.

Some Possible Rooftop Gutter System Problems

Many basements and crawl space waterproofing problems potentially arise in the absence of an effective rooftop gutter system. Consider just a few of these concerns:

No Rooftop Gutters: Rain falls onto the roof and runs directly off the eaves, to land around the perimeter of the home. If protracted heavy rains occur, the ground in this location may become saturated and waterlogged, potentially permitting water to seep into basements and crawl spaces. The absence of a rooftop gutter system also enhances annual maintenance requirements. Eaves wear out faster, and rain splatter will necessitate more frequent window washing and exterior cleaning.

Clogged Rooftop Gutters: Rain lands on the roof and flows into the gutters, but then lacks an accessible exit. In this situation, property damage may occur if water overflows from the gutter and saturates the ground around the perimeter of the home. Additionally, if rain pools inside a clogged gutter, it may eventually cause the gutter itself to begin rusting (and leaking).

Inadequate Downspouts or Runoff “Splatter” Blocks: The rooftop gutter system collects water well, but fails to channel it far enough away from the home and its associated residential landscaping features (e.g. sidewalks and driveways). In this case, the homeowners often benefit by utilizing customized splatter blocks and, possibly, a French Drain, to help direct rainwater runoff.

Some Possible Waterproofing Solutions

To help relay water through the yard into desired locations, it sometimes proves useful to install a French Drain. This channel helps ensure water flows away from the residence towards locations requiring additional moisture. French Drains serve a useful landscaping purpose by allowing more water to reach certain parts of the property.

Further Information

To obtain assistance with any yard drainage issue, or to request the construction of a new French Drain or other water management system for your grounds, contact Raleigh Water Proofing, Inc. We offer a full range of waterproofing solutions. Call us at 919-877-9969 to request a waterproofing inspection. We look forward to speaking with you!

Helpful Resources:

1. https://www.raleighwaterproofinginc.com/yard-drainage.html

Got Poor Yard Drainage? 4 Reasons to Take Action Immediately

Got Poor Yard Drainage? 4 Reasons to Take Action Immediately

Poor yard drainage impacts property waterproofing in important ways. Raleigh Waterproofing, Inc. frequently assists homeowners in the Raleigh area in managing rainwater runoff. Just consider some of the reasons why water pooling in a yard or around the perimeter of the residence for extended periods of time should concern a homeowner:

Poor Yard Drainage

1. Standing Water in a Yard Creates Landscaping Problems

Water draining into large, seasonal puddles in low lying areas of a yard sometimes creates significant landscaping problems for property owners. The water may damage the lawn and nearby decorative plantings. Then, these waterlogged spots sometimes dry to create muddy, eroded patches during dry periods of the year. In some locations, these unsightly long term puddles may even become mosquito habitats.

2. Poor Yard Drainage Frequently Impacts Basement Level Window Wells

Residential properties which include basement windows remain at high risk of sustaining damage from poorly draining yards in some cases. Since water tends to flow to the lowest point, some unprotected window wells may become sites for water to collect and pool against exposed residential surfaces. Over the course of time, damage may occur to window frames and even basement and foundation walls in these locations.

3. Poorly Draining Yards May Allow Water to Pool in Crawl Spaces or Basements

Sometimes homeowners discover poor yard drainage impacts the interior of their residential properties. Therefore, it’s no longer the landscaping or the residential exterior alone. Water may seep underground from these locations through the walls of a basement, or collect at the bottom of a crawl space. When this happens, poor yard drainage helps produce dank environments inside portions of the home. Many property owners rarely visit these locations within a residence; if standing water remains on site over extended periods of time, the moisture may begin rotting exposed wood surfaces in the vicinity. Additionally, standing water may seep into cracks inside concrete in the foundation or the basement, eventually enlarging these defects and potentially causing expensive future repair bills.

4. Poor Yard Drainage May Create Wet, Slippery Walkout Basement Entrances

Poor yard drainage can also affect walkout basements. The floor plan of the home and the yard’s terrain may impact this situation significantly. For example, a walkout basement directly facing a steeply inclined hill may become a focal point for water drainage during and after rainstorms. Following heavy rains, standing water may pool across paved surfaces after rainwater flows downhill. This situation may create deep puddles outside walkout basement entrances.  The same holds true for underground garage doors, potentially creating increased maintenance.

Solutions For Yard Drainage Problems

Today, a variety of solutions assist homeowners in addressing yard drainage issues. One highly affordable and proven solution for poor yard drainage involves the construction of one or more French Drains. These trench-like channels, typically filled with gravel and perforated piping, help transport draining water away from foundations. They may help resolve many common yard drainage concerns. Today a variety of attractive landscaping options enable French Drains to enhance the appearance of residential grounds.

Sometimes property owners who have purchased properties which already include previously installed French Drains discover these structures have become clogged with debris and silt over time. These drains may require cleaning or replacement. Draining water may transport fine particles along that will eventually clog the perforated pipe. During a yard drainage inspection, a waterproofing expert may recommend checking the condition of an existing French Drain to determine whether it still operates efficiently.

Exploring Optimal Solutions

Homeowners concerned about possible yard drainage issues may benefit by requesting a basement/crawl space and yard drainage inspection from a reputable waterproofing company. In some complex cases, we may recommend the homeowner consult with an environmental, structural or landscaping engineer to obtain specialized assistance. We’ll work closely with homeowners and other consultants to implement recommendations for restructuring outdoor areas. As well as, to install drainage systems to help produce affordable solutions.

Request Knowledgeable Assistance

Have you noticed a water drainage or waterproofing problem impacting your residence in the Raleigh, North Carolina area? Our company offers a variety of specialized solutions for property owners in this situation. With deep roots in the local area, we also furnish construction expertise.

Ask us to assist you by providing foundation waterproofing repair, basement waterproofing, sump pump installation, yard drainage assistance, and other skilled contractor services. We’ll repair previous damage to foundations caused by water leaks safely and effectively. Raleigh Waterproofing, Inc. also helps implement moisture and water leak control solutions!

Four Concrete Waterproofing Must Haves

Four Concrete Waterproofing Must Haves

Concrete waterproofing experts assist customers in securing dry, moisture-free basements, crawl spaces and building foundations. When homeowners initially discover dampness in a low lying crawl space or a basement, they sometimes struggle to identify the cause. Contacting a qualified waterproofing firm for assistance can help determine the source of leaking water. An experienced expert in this field may also offer valuable solutions for yard drainage problems.Concrete Waterproofing

The Importance of Terrain

If you’ve noticed water pooling in your basement in the Raleigh area, it makes sense to consider both the condition of your home’s gutters and the surrounding landscape. Since water drains downwards as a result of the force of gravity, some real estate owners discover landscaping improvements strongly impact their waterproofing needs. Most modern homebuilders strive to eliminate steep gradients which might direct runoff towards a home’s foundation. Unfortunately, in the past many developers did not always appreciate the importance of this issue.

For example, the slope of the land in a yard may cause rainwater and melting snow to drain away from the home, or not. People who reside in dwellings built into the sides of hills need to pay especially close attention to this issue. The runoff from melting ice and snow should ideally flow away from the foundation of your residence.

Pooling Water: Not Good For Building Foundations

When water collects around the foundation of a building, over the course of time this situation eventually causes damage. Water may penetrate through the ground around the foundation, causing it to become waterlogged. The successive freezing and thawing of the water may contribute to the formation of cracks in cement and masonry.

In some cases, water pooling against a home’s foundation eventually seeps into low lying parts of the residence. It may create moist, dank basements and crawl spaces. In some locations, the saturation of the soil surrounding a home’s perimeter ultimately produces flooding problems following heavy rains because the waterlogged earth cannot absorb additional water. For a variety of excellent reasons, you’ll want to prevent rain and runoff from collecting around your home’s foundation.

Why Landscaping Improvements Sometimes Impact Drainage

Today, most real estate properties include a variety of concrete or brick improvements. Driveways, sidewalks, patios and even porches (and decks) all enhance comfort and property values. Yet if you plan on installing or modifying any of these surfaces, it makes sense to pay attention to water runoff issues. You won’t want to inadvertently allow rain draining from these structures to collect around your home’s foundation and potentially contribute to water leaks inside the residence.

A waterproofing expert in some situations may recommend the construction of a French Drain, a trench drain, or a surface drain in the yard to help collect runoff and channel it away from the home. This measure can help correct or prevent the formation of soggy spots in the lawn. Most importantly, implementing better drainage also reduces the chance the soil immediately around the foundation will become waterlogged. By providing a way for water to flow away from the residence, a drain may help preserve the anticipated useful lifespan of the foundation.

Check Four Key Home Fixtures

Of course, to prevent rain from collecting around the foundation, maintaining a secure roofing system and clean gutters and downspouts remains vitally important. Yet you also should not overlook the impact of key improvements in your yard. If you discover some free time during this busy season, conducting a quick check of four structures on your grounds may prove helpful. Take a moment to closely observe these items:

  • Driveways;
  • Sidewalks (and Paved Walks);
  • Patios;
  • Porches and Decks.

Notice the slope of the surrounding land around each of these improvements. Then answer these questions:

  • Does your residence sit on fairly level terrain or on a hillside?
  • Will rainwater and runoff from melting ice and snow move towards your home’s foundation or away from it while leaving a driveway, sidewalk, patio, porch or deck?
  • After a heavy rain, have you noticed runoff flowing away from your home to enter roadside gutters and drainage systems?
  • Or does the water collect in pools along the sides of the house?
  • Have cracks or holes developed in any improvements and started impacting water runoff in any way?

Assistance With Yard Drainage Issues

If you discover possible problems during your inspection, you may find it useful to consult with us. Raleigh Waterproofing Inc. offers a variety of services to help improve yard drainage. For example, we provide qualified French Drain construction, as well as other waterproofing measures. Contact us at 919-877-9969 for fast, experienced assistance.

Yard Drainage Issue? Understand the Problems It Can Cause and How To Solve It

While Raleigh tends to receive less rain than other places in North Carolina, homeowners still have to deal with yard flooding. Even small pools of standing water can have profound effects upon your property. Let’s examine why this is can lead to a serious yard drainage issue. Also, what can be done to reduce or eliminate a potential yard drainage issue because of standing water in your yard.

Why is Standing Water a Yard Drainage Issue?

Many people fail to realize that the ground acts like a sponge when it rains. The majority of precipitation should be absorbed within the soil, which is then used to supply water to vegetation and refill underground deposits of water.

When the ground becomes saturated, water stops being absorbed by the ground. This is what causes large puddles and other formations of standing water to form in your yard when it rains.

The problem with standing water is that it can cause numerous issues.

It can:

  • Provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other unfriendly creatures.
  • Make a mess, especially if you have children or a desire to work in your yard.
  • Produce a stagnant smell if the water remains too long.
  • Encourage flooding inside of your home.
  • Cause sewage systems to flood.
  • Cause foundation changes in both pier-and-beam and slab foundations.
  • Drown healthy vegetation like grass.
  • Encourage the growth of hazardous mosses and mold.

These problems can cause anything from minor annoyances to serious structural damage and health concerns.

What Can You Do to Fix Drainage Issues?

The solution to a yard drainage issue is to add a system for draining your yard. There are as many ways to solve drainage issues as there are ways for a yard to drain, which in turn means that a unique approach is required to effectively keep your yard drained.

A small yard with moderate drainage issues may require the installation of a french or trench drain. These can reroute where the water sits and distribute it beneath the ground, which in turn allows for the water to be safely distributed by nature.

Larger drainage issues may require the use of more active solutions like sump pumps. These are particularly useful for larger yards that may flood after rain storms. They can eliminate the need for water to sit for days or weeks before it evaporates, which in turn helps reduce the negative things that flooding can cause.

Another solution for drainage issues is to ensure that water drains properly onto the yard. Gutters and downspouts should be designed to distribute the water that drains from your roof in an effective way.

While just one of these solutions can help with yard drainage issues, the ideal solution requires a combination of two or more of these solutions. Having your gutters drain into a french drain, for example, can ensure that water moves away from your home’s foundation.

Can Dealing with Drainage Issues Add Waterproofing to Your Home?

Dealing with yard drainage issues is one of the most important parts of reducing the amount of water that enters your home or affects your foundation. Your soil can help shield your home from water by taking advantage of that sponge-like effect.

While dealing with a single water problem, a yard drainage issue, it may not completely waterproof your home, it can help substantially. Combine this with other techniques like crack injections and foundation repair, and the problem of invasive water tends to disappear.

Don’t Let Water Ruin Your Home

While water is a necessary part of life, it’s not something that you want standing in your yard. It can cause a plethora of issues with your home’s structure and your health.

If you’re searching for a cost-effective way to deal with yard drainage or water invasion issues, then contact us today. Raleigh Waterproofing, Inc. utilizes cutting-edge technology and techniques to ensure that water stays exactly where it belongs, – which is outside of your home.

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