How to Improve Drainage Around Your Home

When it rains, water can pool around your foundation and cause several issues, if you don’t have proper drainage. Water may seep into the foundation and underneath it, causing the soil to displace and the foundation to sink and crack. It may also reach the basement if you have one and cause mould, mildew, and flooding.

Fortunately, this is an issue that you can fix with a few simple steps.

Extend Your Downspouts

Your gutters are key to collecting water from the roof and ensuring it is deposited in a well-drained area. However, it may not be enough to simply channel the water down to the base of the house. If the drainage in the area is poor, you will just end up with more problems. A simple way to handle the issue and keep water away from your home is to extend the downspouts a metre or so from the house. This will direct the water further away. You can also take steps to ensure the drainage is properly set up.

Create Gravel Beds

A gravel bed running around your home can help improve drainage, but it must be done the right way to prevent the water from draining straight into your foundation. To do this, you should dig a trench around the house, leaving a gap between the trench and the foundation. The bottom of the trench must slope away from the house. Once this has been done, you can fill the trench with gravel. Start with larger pieces at the bottom and use smaller gravel at the top, to give it a more finished look. The water will now drain through the gravel and down the slope, away from your foundation.

It’s also a good idea to create a drainage area where the downspouts pour out their water. Again, a trench leading away from the downspout and filled with gravel will work well. You may choose to dig a deeper hole to fill with gravel immediately below the downspout, particularly if you live in an area that receives large amounts of rain. Gravel beds will help prevent puddles and pooling around your home. You can also lay them alongside your driveway or paths to help prevent flooding and the sinking of the ground beneath.

Good drainage may be extra work, but it’s worth the time and effort you put into it. You’ll have fewer problems with water and seepage. The right combination of drainage ditches and gravel can make your home safer.

Need gravel for your drainage ditch? Thompson Quarries has a variety of sizes and types for your landscaping needs.