Preventing Water Damage Through Proper Landscaping

It’s a foregone conclusion that if you live in your home long enough, you are probably going to experience some kind of water damage.  A pipe may burst, the roof may leak, or Hoover Dam might collapse and sweep everything into oblivion.  Fact is, you cannot defend against the unexpected.  Or can you?

Water damage is never 100% preventable.  Home waterproofing techniques are somewhat useful, but if enough water bears down on your home, there is precious little you can do to really keep it out.  However, you can take steps designed to minimize the damage.

One of the most important things to consider is your landscaping.  In many cases, landscaping can be the make or break point when it comes to how much water is going to get into your home.

Recent studies indicate that a well maintained landscape can actually increase the value of your home by as much as 15%.  On the other hand, a landscape that is poorly maintained will a) decrease the perceived value of your home, and b) lead to eventual water damage.

Here’s how it works: ground can only absorb so much water.  If you experience a strong storm, or even a prolonged steady rain, the ground will eventually become saturated.  Once the water can no longer absorb into the ground, it has to go somewhere.  But where indeed?

Answer: the water will follow the path of least resistance (and the most gravity).  Therefore it becomes important to consider exactly where the ground around your home is going to channel this water.

You want to make sure that the landscaping around your property slopes away from the structure for a distance of no less than ten feet.  More distance is admirable, but ten feet is the bare minimum.  This will make sure the water flows away from your home, not towards it and into it.

In addition, check the downspouts coming from your gutters.  Ideally they will be constructed to point in a direction that channels water out and away from your home.  If they do not, add the additional modules necessary to accomplish the task.  Ideally, you can connect the downspout directly to the drain pipe.  Inspect both your gutters and downspouts a couple of times each year to make sure that they are free and clear of any obstructions.

 Plants or flowers that are located in planters or beds can also be damaged by water.  Installing small catch basins will go a long way towards eliminating this threat.  

Catch basins can also be used to prevent puddling in your yard, a problem that may cause issues with mold or disease carrying mosquitos.  Using catch basins at various locations throughout the lawn allows the excess water to be collected and directed away from the lawn to safer areas.  Available in a variety of sizes, the catch basins are designed to prevent clogging of the drainage system by catching debris before it enters the drain pipe.

Driveways and patios present a special problem as they are unable to absorb any water.  As a result, water ends up gathering in one area or washing in a given direction.  Driveways that slope downward toward the home may result in a flooded garage or basement.  A channel drain removes the excess water to prevent possible damage to the home or landscape.

Channel drains are basically long, narrow drains installed within the concrete of the driveway or patio. Like a roof gutter, channel drains collect large volumes of water that flow across hard surfaces before it can puddle or flow into the surrounding areas.

If you find yourself with water damage of any type, call the professionals at Water Damage Local.com. Our network of IICRC certified professionals are available 24/7 to handle all of your water and flood damage issues.