Overlooking This One Small Detail Could Damage Your Home and Driveway

Most homeowners are already aware of the importance of proper drainage for the water coming off the roof of the house. It’s necessary to have a properly installed system of rain gutters to collect and channel the water from the roof, and downspouts to then funnel that water away from the house.  Many times when our foundation specialists go to a home to assess foundation settling and/or sinking driveways we find that improper downspouts are the culprit. Here are some mistakes made when placing downspouts.

Too close to the foundation
If the downspout is placed close to the foundation it can lead to damage to the foundation such as settling foundations and water in the basement. It’s important to make sure the downspouts channel the water at least 10’ from the foundation to an area that slopes away from the home in order to reduce the chance of compromising the foundation.

Placing the downspout on the driveway
A common mistake is to place the downspout on the driveway. The water will then seep into the joints of the driveway and eventually cause the concrete to sink. Another issue is the pitting, flaking and cracking of the concrete that results from water pooling up on the driveway and freezing and thawing repeatedly.

Placing the downspout on or next to the driveway
Placing the downspout next to the driveway can lead to erosion of the soil around and underneath the driveway. As the soil becomes more compromised this will cause voids to form under the driveway which will eventually cause those areas to sink. Not only is this unsightly, it is a tripping hazard as well.

If the ground around a home does not slope enough to move the water a proper distance from the home, it may be necessary to extend downspouts underground in order to prevent more costly damage in the future. The water can be moved through pipes to a better location on the property to release the water or carry it to a location in the yard where it can be released using a pop-up drainage emitter.

If your home already has underground drainage installed, it’s important to know what type of pipe was used and where the water is being released. If there is no external outlet for the water, it’s possible it is saturating the soil around the foundation. Some companies will use black corrugated pipes underground to channel the water away. The grooves inside these pipes will actually collect and trap debris and become clogged over time. The flexibility of the black pipe also makes it difficult to keep it level underground creating dips in the path of the pipe that will also trap debris and keeps water from flowing freely. Davenport Foundation Repair uses rigid pipe that allows the debris to continue to move through with the water, preventing build-up and clogs.

Our highly trained foundation specialists can come to your home to assess the drainage and other foundation and concrete needs and recommend a plan of action to protect your investment, and ultimately your family. Davenport Foundation is Gephardt approved and has an A rating from Angie’s List and BBB. We are built on a foundation of honesty, integrity and responsibility. Trust your home to the local experts.