6 Landscaping Methods to Prevent Basement Water Problems

Finding water in the basement is a startling discovery, no matter the age of your home. But how does water get there in the first place? While most problems are caused by poorly sealed foundations and hydrostatic pressure, sometimes basement flooding is directly related to landscaping and water routing issues.

Water in the basement is never a good sign. Most people who find signs of water in their home are confused about how it got there. Water is, after all, an elusive guest, and can be there one day and gone the next.

Water’s unreliability is perhaps the worst part of solving a basement moisture problem. Employing some detective work can yield positive results, but if the signs aren’t obvious, the chance of uncovering the mystery is slim.

In this post, we’ll layout 6 landscaping methods that will absolutely help your basement water problems.

The Grade is Important to Keeping Water Out of Your Basement

How important? Because when the grade of the ground next to your home runs towards your foundation, your basement can flood. A professional solution to poor grading solves many basement water problems. One way of fixing it is to have a dry creek dug around your home and filled with gravel. This bisection of the soil routes water away from your home and keeps your basement dry.

Water Accumulation in a Basement

After particularly heavy rains, monitor where the water pools on the ground outside and where it enters your home (which basement wall). A swampy lawn means that you have poor soil drainage, which leads to unwanted basement water entry. While a sump pump can curb problems such as this, extending the sump pump’s outflow as well as adding extensions to your downspouts can also help.

Mulch Problems Can Lead to Basement Water

A home with a well-manicured lawn is a must. But what some people don’t realize is that when you pack mulch up and around your foundation, you could be setting up a moisture wick. Solve this problem by always maintaining 4-6 inches of space between your home’s foundation and any mulch surrounding it. This simple trick can alleviate manageable basement moisture issues and keep your foundation dry.

Downspout Angles Perpetuate Water in Basements

Proper water drainage pointed away from your home is important in maintaining a dry basement. If your downspouts have seen better days and aren’t even directed away from the immediate ground surrounding your home, it’s time to take action and add extensions. The same goes for gutters; a little TLC can keep the water flowing from your roof and far, far away from your foundation.

Grass and Hydrostatic Pressure

An effective barrier for excess rain is grass. Much like digging a dry creek around your home, it’s possible for expert landscapers to use grass and valleys to redirect water away from your home’s foundation. This method leads water away from trouble spots and relieves hydrostatic pressure that may have originated deep within your yard. And the best part is, it can save you thousands compared to traditional waterproofing methods.

Patio Problems

A well-constructed patio is lovely during warm weather. But as the ground settles, patio pavers sink into the earth. As a result, patios that sit next to foundations are subject to pooling water. To solve patio problems like this, a landscaper will remove pavers and add new soil and pea gravel. As a result, water will run away from your foundation, and water pooling problems will disappear.

In many basement water situations, a professional is the only person who can properly diagnose the problem. They know, after years of experience, what different water entry signs mean for your basement and the techniques to use to stop it before it becomes a serious problem.

If you are interested in learning more about how we can help you, please don’t hesitate to contact us today for a free estimate.