Although Dallas-Fort Worth is known for having plenty of sunny days, some parts have more than their fair share of rain.
In fact, torrential rain can be a problem for properties in Dallas-Fort Worth. They can lead to blocked drainage systems and floods, where water can seep through the foundation.
As a property owner, you’ll want to arm yourself with knowledge on the most effective ways to avoid damage and manage the incoming stream of water. Finding a technique to drain the rainwater efficiently is a priority.
To help you, we’ve put together this article on how to avoid foundation damage from rainfall in Texas.
Risk Exposure of Your Foundation During Heavy Rainfall
Constant heavy rain results in property damage. In fact, water infiltration is a common cause of foundation problems in Texas.
Even homes that previously had no issues can show signs of damage after heavy rain, but houses that already had foundation or drainage problems are at an even higher risk.
This naturally leads to problems like:
- Water finding its way through the cracks at the bottom of the foundation. Naturally, this results in damage.
- When a downpour is very heavy, the water drainage system becomes ill-equipped to handle the excess water.
- French drains become defective.
Preventing these scenarios requires you to keep an eye on the signs of water infiltration. Be vigilant about cracks and white spots at the bottom of walls.
Remember that it’s better to prevent foundation problems than to fix them! There are ways to protect your foundation against the issues that rain brings. Here are some tips.
Ways to Protect Your Foundation Against Heavy Rainfall
Here are changes you can implement to your drainage solutions:
Create positive slopes
Ensure you have positive slopes in place. These help with draining surface water and keeps it from reaching the foundation. On the other hand, having negative slopes moves more water toward the foundation.
During a heavy downpour, this will have a significant impact on the foundation. Without positive slopes, water infiltration can compromise the foundation’s integrity.
Another bad effect would be the concrete actually absorbing the water, causing massive damage to the foundation.
Place flower beds strategically
Position your flower beds far from the foundation. The main reason for this is that flower beds are known for having topsoil which can easily absorb water.
This being the case, flower beds stationed close to the foundation will constantly gather the water during heavy rains. They can also do this when they’re over-watered.
During intense rainfall, water puddles can form and damage the foundation’s integrity. The effect will depend largely on how old the house is and the quality of its materials.
You can prevent this from happening by elevating the slopes close to the foundation area. It’s also better to avoid placing flower beds near the foundation.
Inspect your rain gutters
The proper distance of gutter downspouts is at least 4 feet away from the foundation. This will ensure that the roof water is carried away from the foundation.
If you install gutter spouts too close to the house, water can collect around the foundation. If this happens, you can add an extension pipe to the gutter downspout. This is a great solution for proper surface drainage.
Focus on the plants around your property
Plants with very deep roots can cause French drains to get clogged. In fact, the roots can even infiltrate drains to suck the water out of them!
Avoid this risk by regularly inspecting the plants around your property’s vicinity, and keep them away from your drainage system.
Safeguard an old foundation
How long ago was your property built? If it’s old, you may want to make some modifications. Older foundations can succumb to damage faster, especially if the quality of the construction is poor.
To resolve this issue, have a foundation expert set up a waterproof membrane around the foundation. It will protect the concrete, reducing the risk of it crumbling.
Assess the environment
Is your house near a lake or wetland? If it is, your property is naturally more prone to water infiltration. You can call up a foundation expert to evaluate your property.
Ways to Keep Your Foundation Safe
While heavy rains can result in property damage, there are solutions you can apply.
Foundation experts can recommend the right option for you based on your budget and needs. Some of these solutions can include:
Replacing or installing a proper drainage system
A foundation expert will ensure that the drainage system is adequate and capable of moving a large volume of water away from the property.
Altering the drainage system
Foundation specialists can make improvements to the drainage system. They can set it up to remove excess water to avoid flooding.
Installing a membrane
This is done to waterproof the foundation, especially when the concrete shows signs of crumbling.
Bottom line
Heavy rainfall can cause serious foundation problems. To prevent this, you can create positive slopes, relocate flower beds, and inspect your rain gutters.
If you need a foundation expert to handle and provide solid solutions to your foundation issues, contact Granite Foundation Repair today!