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March 25, 2022
Drainage problems are a major worry for homeowners, because they can cause an extreme amount of damage if left unchecked. The frightening thing is that often, these issues aren’t noticed until they’ve become very serious.
That’s why it’s critical that you know what signs to look out for when evaluating your property’s drainage quality. Being able to spot the symptoms of dysfunctional water flow can give you the pre-emptive warning you need to mitigate damage to your foundation and the rest of your home. Below, we go over some of the top signs that will be surefire clues of drainage trouble.
Most Austin homes are built with crawl spaces that are vented. This can seem like a benefit – after all, ventilation is always a good thing, right?
By and far, one of the most obvious indications that your property is not draining properly is obvious water pooling around the edges of your home. This means that the ground is sloping downward toward your foundation, and the pressure of the current drainage pattern will only worsen this over time.
Whenever it rains, water will flow toward your foundation and basement, saturating the surrounding soil and creating direct, ongoing exposure to excess moisture. This opens the door to erosion beneath your foundation, which can cause buckling, settling, cracks, and even basement or crawl space flooding.
After a big rain, do you notice a lot of bark, mulch, or other debris that has mysteriously shown up on your patio, walkway, or next to your home’s exterior? This is an indication that the rainwater washed all of that material toward your home. While the water may no longer be visible, you can probably count on it having drained downward into the soil right next to your foundation.
All of that water being held in the soil is going to start seeping through your basement walls at some point. This will be apparent when you start to see large blotchy stains show up, usually distinguished by dusty white and gray patches. These crusty powders are the mineral residues left over after the moisture coming through the wall has evaporated.
If you’re lucky, you might be able to spot intruding moisture before stains appear. The first sign will be basement walls that are moist to the touch, or condensation that collects on the basement windows and ceiling.
A final symptom of drainage problems is the old, musty smell of mildew in your home. If you’ve got a funk in the house that just won’t go away, no matter how many candles and air fresheners you use, there’s a good chance the source could be your basement or crawl space.
When an excess of moisture collects down there, it can travel upward, entering the main living space and turning it into a stuffy stinkbox. Unfortunately, when this occurs, it’s all too common that the damage has spread beyond the foundation and into other parts of the home.
If you suspect you have drainage issues on your property, it’s vital that you check the integrity of your foundation. Damage can develop quickly, creating the potential for further deterioration and even safety hazards. Isolating problem areas early can help you avoid excess expense and keep the rest of your home in stable condition.
Douglas Foundation Solutions has the expertise to diagnose and rectify all foundation problems resulting from improper drainage. From soil stabilization to repairs and replacements, we can provide you with the appropriate remedy. Our specialists will perform a thorough inspection to determine the best course of action, offering a fair quote and a speedy completion timeline. We’ll get you back to your daily routine ASAP, with peace of mind knowing that your home’s value and reliability have been improved.