8 Warning Signs Your Foundation Drainage Is Failing - Don't Ignore!

Seasonal Rains Shouldn't Cause Issues

Water damage prevention is more difficult for the foundation and basement compared to the upper part of the structure, as it is lower in proximity to the ground and soil. Also, the main reason behind water leakage in the basement area is due to poor foundation drainage. 

This problem can lead to several dangerous situations gradually, and that's why it's crucial to fix the problem as soon as possible. You'll need to know all the basics to handle this problem properly. To help you out, we've gathered all the necessary information regarding bad foundation drainage and its solutions.

Signs of Foundation Drainage Problem

There are several signs of foundation drainage problems, the most prominent ones include:

Cracks on Walls

The foundation walls, and sometimes the exterior and interior floors in the upper part of the house indicate visible cracks. Usually, these cracks happen when the foundation shifts. One of the main reasons for moving the foundation is changes in soil due to excess water caused by poor drainage near the foundation area. Specifically, if the cracks are horizontal, they signal the hydrostatic pressure around the foundation caused by water buildup.

Water Seepage

Due to the poor drainage system, water can seep anywhere in the house, from the foundation, and crawl space, to other structural parts. Also, the cracks formed due to this problem help in water seepage. Sometimes the walls show water seepage by swelling of paint or wet walls in specific parts of the house. However, no matter where you see water seepage, it’s surely a drainage-related problem.

Tilted Building Components

Different building components like chimneys, walls, or maybe the whole building can be tilted due to soil extraction and contraction happening for damaged drainage systems. Also, the windows and doors won’t be properly closed as the house structure is tilted more or less.

Sagging Floors

Uneven, sagging, or bouncing floors indicate another sign of poor foundation drainage. When the water pools near the foundation, it changes the density of the soil underneath continuously and this settling of soil also settles and makes uneven floors.

Water Accumulation

If you see puddles or water standing near the house perimeter whenever rain falls or irrigation is done nearby, then the drainage system must be broken. Since the damaged drainage system can’t move water properly, water pooling happens.

Humid Crawl Space

More water seepage in the basement area and water accumulation around make the entire area of the foundation humid. This situation also leads to more insect infiltration in the house. Even the house air will become unhealthy and hard to breathe in. Many homeowners consider an EZ Breathe, which is designed to pull cool, damp air from the lowest level, basement, or crawl space, and expel it outside removing excess moisture that often lead to musty odors, mildew smells, mold, and inconsistent air exchange. 

Soil Washout

If the soil around the foundation is washing out, then it means the water isn’t properly diverted from your house due to poor drainage. Many parts of the substructure will be exposed outside due to the removal or washout of soil.

Musty Odor in the Basement

Due to poor drainage, the moisture in the basement rises and leads to mold and mildew growth. If you see the area thriving with mold or giving off musty odor, then it’s time to check the drainage system for possible problems.

How to Fix Foundation Drainage Problems 

There are a few solutions to fix the drainage problems in your foundation, they are:

Identify Root Problems

The most important step to fix the drainage problem is to find out the source of the problem. That’s why the repair method varies depending on the causes of bad drainage. You can inspect the exterior of your house or the crawlspace for the signs mentioned above to identify problems. Although, it’s best to hire professionals to inspect the house thoroughly.

Remove Water Source

If there’s any water source accelerating water accumulation near your house perimeter, you should remove the source. For example, if there's an irrigation pump running often, you should stop the pump until the problem is resolved.

Repair Cracks

One of the first things you need to do to fix the foundation drainage problems is to repair the cracks in the foundation and basement area to prevent more water seepage into the foundation. You can use epoxy or mortar to fill the cracks depending on severity.

Grade Soil

If the soil around the house is sloped toward the foundation, you need to add soil or regrade the landscape to ensure the soil is sloped away from the house to prevent water accumulation near the foundation.

Waterproofing

You should waterproof the foundation and inside the crawl space to prevent any serious problem even if there’s any problem with water infiltration.

Repair Gutters and Downspout

If the gutters and downspouts are damaged or blocked, it makes water pool near the foundation and makes the drainage worse. That’s why you should repair them if they’re not working properly. And if there are no gutters and downspouts in your house, or they’re severely damaged, install new ones.

Install Sump Pump

Installing drainage systems like sump pumps also helps make the drainage system near the foundation better. The sump pump helps pump out excess water in the area and redirect it outwards.

Clean French Drains

If your french drain is clogged or damaged, it can hamper water drainage. Clean, repair, or install a new french drain to solve the problem.

Mudjacking

Since the soil becomes loose due to bad drainage, you need to ensure the soil stays firm again. You can do mudjacking or polyjacking to make the soil dense and firm.

Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance and inspections are must to prevent future drainage problems or to fix the next problems very early.

Professional Consultation

We recommend you consult with a professional every season to take care of your foundation. Many foundation repair and waterproofing companies will offer a no-obligation assessment.

For the best results, hire a local contractor as they know better about the local environment and other conditions to work without problems compared to contractors from different regions. However, ensure the contractor is experienced and has the necessary legal documents and certificates.

If you're in the Kansas City area and would like a free estimate on your waterproofing concerns, reach out to PierMagic today. 816-765-4800