Although “spring runoff” sounds like it might be an event in your child’s upcoming field day festivities, it’s actually a potentially concerning problem that can put your home’s foundation at risk.
What Is Spring Runoff
In short, spring runoff is the excess of water once the ground’s natural absorption capacity is exceeded. It happens thanks to increased rainfall and/or melting snow and ice after a long freeze.
Threats Of Spring Runoff
While a few days of steady rain may not be cause for concern, heavy rains often are. Spring runoff can leave the soil around your foundation saturated, which not only causes soggy, muddy puddles but can also lead to hydrostatic pressure against your foundation walls. Unfortunately, hydrostatic pressure is one of the main exterior causes of foundation damage. Water intrusion can also lead to crawl space dampness and basement flooding.
French Drains: A Simple Solution
While no home is guaranteed safe from spring runoff or other water intrusion issues, a very simple solution that can help most homeowners are French drains. This is a drainage system installed just below the surface that helps to redirect groundwater away from your foundation. These are perforated pipes that are laid in a trench resting on a bed of gravel. They collect water and then channel it to a discharge point away from your home’s foundation.
Professional Installation Crucial
Installing French drains is more than just digging a hole and laying a pipe. It requires knowledge of the surrounding ground, sloping, and where the most effective and safe discharge points will be. A professional will choose the right material, including the right type of gravel and any fabric filters needed to enhance the longevity and efficiency of your French drain system. Further, professionally installed French drains will come with a warranty, and your installation team will know how to avoid underground utilities, such as electrical wires or water pipes.
If you notice pools of water that don’t go away shortly after a rainstorm, you’ve noticed a musty smell, or standing water in your basement, French drains are a simple and reasonably affordable solution that can give you both peace of mind and protection. Barrier Waterproofing’s team of drainage experts can create a custom French drain system based on your needs to best protect your home.
