House Foundation Water Damage Prevention
The accumulation of stormwater and other runoff water is lethal to the structure of your home. Poor drainage away from your home and its foundation results in many costly and hazardous problems.
Foundation Damage
Water accumulation around your home will affect the foundation.
Water from the roof is directed towards the gutters (also known as eaves troughs) and directed to downspouts normally connected at the corners of a house fastened to the exterior siding and backing studs. Just below the downspout, a concrete pad called a "splash block" or "splash pad" is placed. This redirects the force of falling water, but is insufficient to save your home and yard from damage. Water will eventually seep not only into your basement or crawlspace, but also into the foundation of your home and down to the soil below the footing. Often times, drain lines constructed underneath the house and around the foundation are insufficient to eliminate accumulating water. As a result, the soil upon which the footing rests will erode, making it uneven. Further, the foundation and the footing concrete will crack, requiring time consuming repairs costing thousands of dollars.
If your home is built on a concrete slab, water seeping down to the ground below the slab will also result in soil erosion. Though the middle normally remains safe, the soil in the perimeter of the slab will be adversely affected.
Your Home's Appearance
Spalled bricks mainly occur at the corners of your home where water can accumulate around the downspout. This occurs when bricks are constantly exposed to water and don't get a chance to dry, or water that has penetrated the bricks freezes and thaws. Though many believe it is solely a cosmetic problem, broken or chipped bricks and mortar could indicate worse problems affecting the foundation.
To prevent these problems, it is recommended that you fit downspout diverter extensions to drain rain and runoff water 3-6 feet away from the perimeters of your home. Splash blocks and a forged path for runoff water will not save your home from damage, as the force of falling water will still destroy the ground where it hits. Rainguard™ Automatic Downspout Extensions diffuses this destructive force by channeling it up and away from your property. Your garden, lawn, and unpaved areas will be saved from becoming a mud slick, and soil erosion forming unsightly holes in the front yard beside downspouts will be eliminated. And no more standing pools of water for mosquitoes to breed in!
Your Health
Water can easily seep inside your home when there is poor drainage. Increased levels of moisture promote the growth of mold, a health risk.
Prevention is key. Keep your home and family happy with Rainguard™ Automatic Downspout Extensions.
