Foundation walls, basements, crawl spaces, lower-level rooms, and window wells are the most common areas for rainwater to pool, says Donna Delaney, owner of Dowco Enterprises in Chesterfield. And, any water inside the home that’s not from plumbing should be addressed before it can cause damage to floors, walls, insulation, and belongings, leading to mold, rot, and structural issues over time. “If you see puddles, water stains, musty smells, or increased humidity in basements or lower levels, it’s time to act,” says Delaney. “Waiting only increases the chance of mold and structural damage.”d
Delaney, who has 35 years experience in the field of lawn and landscape care, suggests homeowners consider one or more of the following methods for keeping water away from the house. These steps, she adds, can make a big difference:
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- Ensure proper grading away from the foundation
- Extend downspouts away from the home
- Keep gutters clean
- Use French drains (gravel-filled trenches with perforated pipe) or dry creek beds to help manage runoff (aesthetic and functionally directs water)
- Consider rain gardens or permeable surfaces to slow and absorb stormwater (Rain Gardens are great for yards with natural low spots, says Delaney. “They’re handy for capturing water from downspouts or sloped areas.”
“The most common and practical solutions we implement are improving grading (or sloping the soil away from the house), installing French drains, and extending downspouts,” says our expert. “These exterior methods address the root cause of water problems by redirecting water before it can reach the foundation.”
Not every home needs every method. “It depends on the yard’s layout, soil type, and drainage pattern,” she says.
