How Important Is a Drainage System In Your Fort Wayne Home?
Keeping your property free of excess water prevents foundation damage that puts your family’s safety at risk. The best way to stop water from accumulating in your home is to install a comprehensive drainage system that includes a sump pump, sump pump discharge pipe, exterior drain, and other components, creating a drier and safer environment.
Learn more about drainage solutions for your home below and when you should contact a professional like Groundworks.
How Does Water Accumulate In Your Home?
Water can enter the lowest levels of your home, including your basement and crawl space, for various reasons, including environmental conditions that are unique to Fort Wayne, IN:
- Heavy rain and snowmelt: Fort Wayne often experiences heavy rain and snow during the winter months. When rainfall and snowmelt saturate the soil around your foundation, groundwater can seep into foundation walls and enter your home through cracks and gaps.
- Inadequate drainage: Broken or malfunctioning gutters, downspouts, and other drainage systems might cause water to pool around your foundation and penetrate your home.
- Clay soils: When soil contains a lot of clay, it can expand when wet and shrink when dry, causing hydrostatic pressure that leads to foundation cracks. This may increase the chances of water entering your home. Clay soils are common in Fort Wayne and elsewhere in Indiana.
Excess water in your basement and/or crawl space may result in a wide range of problems, including:
- Mold growth
- Wood rot
- Wet floors
- Wet walls
- Wet drywall
- Musty smells
- Basement condensation
- Basement wall cracks
Contact Groundworks if you experience any of these issues. We can inspect your home for free and recommend the best waterproofing solutions tailored to your budget and needs.
What Is a Comprehensive Drainage System?
A good drainage system stops water from entering your home and causing damage. It might consist of the following:
- Sump pit (or sump basin): This is a hole dug at the lowest point of your basement or crawl space. It collects water around your foundation that can enter through walls and floors, acting as a catch basin.
- Sump pump: This is a piece of equipment that a contractor places inside a sump pit. It removes water from the pit and directs it to an exterior drain through a sump pump discharge pipe (which may include a sump pump discharge hose). A backup sump pump ensures water removal even during power outages.
- Exterior drain: An exterior drain, such as a French drain, receives water from the sump pump discharge pipe, keeping it away from your home.
Installing a drainage system can be complicated, so you’ll want to call in a basement waterproofing and crawl space repair professional like Groundworks. We can also recommend other solutions that keep your home free from excess water and moisture, including vapor barriers, dehumidifiers, interior drains, and grated drain pipes.
Why Do You Need a Drainage System?
Investing in a drainage system that includes a sump pump, sump pump discharge pipe, and other components can provide the following benefits:
- Excess water in your home increases the chances of mold growth, which might affect loved ones with respiratory conditions. Proper drainage prevents mold by keeping your home dry.
- A drainage system can avoid water damaging your foundation, which may cost thousands of dollars to fix.
- By creating a safer and drier environment, you can maintain the value of your home and make it easier to sell.
Trust Groundworks for Custom-Engineered Drainage Solutions
Don’t let excess water ruin your property. When you invest in a comprehensive drainage system, you can stop water accumulating in your basement and crawl space and protect your investment in your home.
Groundworks specializes in drainage solutions, including sump pumps and French drains. We’re proud to serve Fort Wayne and the surrounding areas. Contact us now to learn more.