Water is the root cause
Most foundation problems involve water: soaked clay that swells, washed-out soil that settles and pressure that pushes walls.
Managing it protects everything else.
Gutters
Clean gutters carry roof water to the downspouts. Check them in spring and fall and after big storms.
Make sure they slope toward the downspouts and are large enough for heavy rain.
Downspouts
Extend downspouts well away from the wall, or connect them to buried solid pipe that carries water to a safe outlet.
A downspout that dumps at the foundation is the most common problem we see.
Grading
Soil should fall away from the house for the first several feet. Add fill where it has settled and keep mulch thin.
Our slope tool shows how to measure the fall.
Drains and swales
Where grading alone will not do, French drains, swales and catch basins move water to a safe place.
Plan the outlet first.
Window wells and vents
Keep window wells clear and draining, and make sure vents and openings are not below the soil line.
Small openings can let in a lot of water in a storm.
Move roof water far from the house, slope the soil away and give any remaining water a drain to follow.
