Five Tips To Divert Water Away From Your House

Lizotte Inspection Services |

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The drainage system on your property is seldom given an afterthought until one day, after a heavy downpour, you notice your basement is flooded, or you see water patches at the base of the walls! Maybe now it’s time to turn your attention towards maintaining the drainage system to avoid costly damage to your property.

Utilizing effective drainage methods will ensure the water is diverted away from your home. Moreover, it will eliminate foundation erosion, basement flooding, and soil and grass deterioration. At Lizotte Inspection Services, we have come across several homes with serious damage due to poor drainage plans. To prevent water damage to your home, we have outlined five important tips to help you divert water away from your house. Keep reading to know more!

Tip #1: Install eavestroughs (gutters) and downspouts around your house
To avoid serious damage to your property, install gutters and downspouts. A fully functioning gutter system will control runoff in a safe manner and protect the foundation of your home, prevent erosion, protect your landscaping, and prevent basement flooding.

Tip #2: Extend the downspouts at least six feet from the house
The gutter downspout pipe needs to run vertically. Therefore, it should be extended to a minimum of six feet away from the house. The downspout’s job is to keep the rainwater from the gutters away from your home.

Tip #3: Slope the ground away from the foundation
Too much water can damage your home’s foundation. It can also erode and crack sidewalks, patios, driveways, and retaining walls.

Tip #4: Ensure that rain barrels have overflows
While your rainwater barrel captures and stores rainwater, all rainwater collection systems must have an overflow to a safe disposal location. Place the barrels overflow hose into the garden or onto the lawn away from the building’s foundation.

Tip #5: Clean out the debris
Keep leaves and debris out of your gutters to allow water to flow to the downspouts. Schedule a licensed professional to clean gutters annually to avoid clogged rain gutters that can send water cascading down the exterior wall, which can result in water entering the interior walls.

For more tips on gutter inspection or gutter protection advice, reach out to Lizotte Inspection Services. We conduct home inspections in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for both buyers and sellers. We also specialize in mold inspection, moisture testing, Ozonation, and appliance recall checks. Our home inspection services are available to clients across Saskatoon, Allan, Dalmeny, Warman, Vanscoy, Clavet, Martensville, Osler, Lanigan, Watrous, Saskatchewan, and the surrounding areas including Bradwell, Hague, Colonsay, and Biggar.

To learn more about our inspection services, please click here or get in touch with us by clicking here.

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