As winter thaws into spring, it’s critical to keep the increased amounts of water away from your home. The house is probably already well-protected against water, but this is an important time to make sure the home drainage system is in great shape, because it will be sorely tested during the spring months.
How To Know If You’ve Got A Problem
The symptoms of a poor home drainage system are pretty simple for anyone to spot, though we’re happy to do a thorough inspection if need be. Here’s what you should look for:
- If gutter cleaning was neglected last fall, or if the gutter has moved during the winter freezing cycles, you’ll likely see water overflowing gutters when it should be directed to your downspouts. Instead of waiting for a rain storm, hose down your various roof surfaces to check the function of all your gutters.
- Excess muddy ground close to the house. Water should never accumulate near your foundation; it’s asking for trouble. Installation of French drains or repitching the ground around the home are the best solutions for this issue.
- Root growth in underground drain lines can block up the entire system. These must be cleared with a snake or larger rooting device.
- On the roof, ice dams can be a symptom of poor drainage.
- Basement flooding or dampness is a common indicator of too much water outside the foundation walls. Here (link) are ways to address that problem.
What To Do Now
All of these problems can be addressed by handy homeowners or qualified professionals. Some of the most important steps include:
- Seasonal gutter cleaning
- Installing leaf guards on your gutters
- Ensuring proper drainage off your roof and away from your house
If you’d like some assistance keeping water away from your home all year round, we’d be happy to help.