Maintaining a strong, stable foundation and protecting your home’s structure and indoor air quality is critical in ensuring your home remains safe for you and your family. There are some important things to keep in mind to ensure your home is protected now and into the future. One of those is the impact water can have. The presence of moisture or standing water in or around your home can result in serious issues requiring costly repairs if left unresolved. Taking preventative steps to protect your home from water damage now will ultimately save you time and money and ensure your home remains a safe place to live.
Why Exterior Water Management Is Important
Heavy rainstorms and snowmelt result in a concentration of water, which needs to go somewhere. If you don’t have proper exterior water mitigation and management solutions in place, that water may collect around your home’s foundation. This pooling water may eventually make its way into your basement or crawl space and cause costly problems. Additionally, if your home sits on a plot with a significant grade, the excess water can cause soil erosion over time. This erosion can not only harm your landscaping but can also ultimately result in foundation damage. It’s vital to take preventive steps to protect your home and property from these occurrences.
What Are Exterior Water Management Solutions?
On Your Home
As runoff from heavy storms and snowmelt plays a key role in water buildup around your home, mitigation steps should start from the top down. Make sure you have these items properly installed:
- Gutters
- Leaf guards
- Downspouts
On the Ground
Often homeowners do not have the proper grade on their property or between a neighbor’s property. Solutions to fix this include:
- Make adjustments to the grading when possible.
- Create swales to divert water.
- Install drain boxes.
Below Ground
Ultimately the goal is to prevent any water from leaking into your basement or crawl space. One time-tested solution is to install a quality sump pump, which will work hard to keep your home dry, even in the heaviest of storms.
If you would like more information about exterior water mitigation and management solutions or would like an expert to provide a free inspection of your property, contact Virginia Foundation Solutions today!
