Heavy rain can be very detrimental to your property. When rain accumulates against the foundation, cracks can appear in the concrete, causing water infiltration and mold growth.
It’s important to keep water away from your home in order to protect your foundation and avoid these problems. In this article, Foundation Crack Expert presents preventive measures to protect your foundation from heavy rain.
Our proven solutions for keeping water away from your foundation
It’s important to be proactive when it comes to protecting your property and foundation from precipitation. Here are some recommendations from our concrete foundation experts:
Positive grading
If your land slopes towards your home (negative grading), water will tend to flow towards your foundation, increasing the risk of damage. If the concrete remains in contact with water for a long time, it can lose its water resistance and start to deteriorate.
Make sure your land slopes away from your foundation (positive grading) to keep water away from the concrete as much as possible.
French drains
A French drain is a water drainage system installed in the ground around the foundation. It drains accumulated water away before it has a chance to damage the concrete. French drains have become mandatory in Quebec.
If you have a French drain installed, you should check it every year to make sure it’s working properly. Take steps to prevent your drain from clogging and losing its effectiveness.
Gutter drainage
Gutter problems can have serious consequences for your foundation. Inspect your gutters regularly to make sure they are keeping water away from your foundation.
Downspouts should face away from your home and discharge water well away from your foundation. Otherwise, water will run over the concrete, causing it to wear down over time. If your downspouts are located too close to the foundation, we recommend installing an extender to reduce the likelihood of damage.
Avoid flowerbeds and monitor surrounding vegetation
Plants need water to live. If you install flowerbeds near your foundation, they will inevitably attract water. When there is heavy rain, the plants won’t be able to absorb the accumulated water quickly enough, leaving the moisture with plenty of time to damage your foundation and seep into the house. Therefore, it’s best to keep flowerbeds well away from your foundation.
When it comes to larger vegetation like trees, their roots tend to spread to the dampest areas. If there is moisture around your foundation, the roots may clog or destroy drainage systems such as French drains in their quest for water. Check your drains regularly to make sure they are working well enough to handle heavy rainfall.
Have your foundation waterproofed and inspected regularly
To ensure that your home withstands Quebec’s heavy precipitation, have a professional inspect your foundation regularly.
An expert will be able to assess the state of your foundation and determine whether it needs crack repair. They can also install a waterproofing membrane to reinforce the foundation and prevent water infiltration and cracks.
It’s important to keep your foundation sound and strong in order to limit the risks that come with heavy rain. Foundation Crack Expert has a great deal of experience in the field, and we provide services across Canada.
Trust Foundation Crack Expert to protect your foundation
As you can see, there are many ways to protect your foundation from heavy rain and avoid the damage that can occur otherwise.
If you aren’t sure whether your foundation is at risk or want help protecting it, contact the professionals at Foundation Crack Expert.
