Keeping Your Home Dry:
A Comprehensive Guide to Water Drainage
As a homeowner, there are few things worse than stepping into your basement or crawlspace and finding standing water after a passing rain shower. Excessive and intrusive water can lead to several issues. Mold problems, pest infestations, landscaping erosion, and even foundation damage can result from water finding its way where you don’t want it.
At Idell Construction, we understand the destructive power of water, and we build with that understanding in mind. To protect your new home from water damage, the following are things that we consider essential components to our building process.
Proper Grading: The Key to Good Drainage
When determining the placement of your home, site drainage is a crucial element we consider. Water is inevitable, and the building seat is graded to ensure water is naturally carried away from your foundation. The ground should slope away from your house on all sides. This ensures that surface water naturally flows away rather than pooling near your foundation.
Every property has its unique challenges with regard to site work and grading. Some sites might require a retaining wall to divert water, or in some cases more dirt may need to be brought in to most effectively create the slope required to keep your basement or crawlspace dry. Idell Construction has the resources and foresight to determine the best way to handle run-off and drainage around your property.
In addition to sloping the grading from your home, we also pour all concrete (porches, patios, driveways, sidewalks) with proper slope to shed water away from your home.
Footer Drains and Waterproofing
Idell Construction believes that foundation waterproofing and footer drainage systems are a must. New homes built by Idell Construction always include a waterproof coating on foundation walls that are below the final grade. This barrier prevents moisture from seeping through porous concrete or masonry. A footer drain is also placed: a socked, perforated pipe covered with drainage rock around the perimeter of your crawl space or basement. This is then piped away from the building seat to naturally drain away from your home.
The Gutter and Downspout System
Not only do we pipe away any water that may try to find its way around the footers, but we also put underground piping in for your gutter and downspout system. An incredible amount of water can come off your roof during a rainstorm. We install a standard 5” metal gutter and downspouts spaced to properly handle the roof run-off. We also offer additional options to help with your guttering system, including up-sizing gutters and downspouts, gutter guards, and strategically placed splash guards to efficiently divert water.
Bear in mind, where gutter-guards and splash guards can certainly help keep gutters from cluttering up with debris, it is always recommended to seasonally inspect and clean your gutter system.
The Conditioned Crawlspace: Additional Protection and Efficiency
Also known as a “clean crawl”, Idell Construction has made the installation of a conditioned crawlspace a standard practice. The crawlspace is sealed completely; a protective moisture barrier covers the ground and wraps up the inside of your foundation walls, and the foundation walls themselves are spray-foamed with insulation. In addition to improving moisture control under your home, this feature also has the added benefit of improved energy efficiency and creates a safe, dry space for such utilities as your heat pump and waterheater, as well as a secure place you can use as additional storage. Read more about this feature in our blog “Standard vs. Conditioned Crawl Spaces: The Smart Choice for East Tennessee Homes”.
At Idell Construction, we believe an investment in a comprehensive water drainage system is crucial to the long-term health and stability of your home and property. Call us today to discuss how we can help you build a dream home that is safe and dry for decades to come.