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Home > Foundation Maintenace > Foundation Drainage
FOUNDATION DRAINAGE
WHAT DOES FOUNDATION DRAINAGE MEAN?
Foundation drainage refers to any system designed to divert or direct water away from a foundation. Such drainage includes systems installed outside the edge of foundations as well as systems that are installed under foundations.
WHY IS FOUNDATION DRAINAGE IMPORTANT?
In many areas the ability of soils to support a foundation is affected by the amount of water in the soils. Too much water can cause soils to be muddy, and a foundation can sink. Too much water, and expansive soils will lift a house up. Good foundation drainage helps to keep excess water away from a foundation and to prevent problems.
DO I NEED FOUNDATION DRAINAGE?
An hour after rain stops, do you have standing water within 10 feet of your foundation? If your answer is “Yes”, you may need drainage improvements.
HOW CAN ADVANCED HELP?
Advanced reviews what foundation drainage solutions you currently have as well measures things such as the slope away from the foundation. With the survey in hand WE outline a detailed foundation drainage solution that may include:
- Installs Gutters and Downspouts
These are the first things added as they are the easiest way to drain a foundation.
- Adjust Slopes
The next step is, if possible, to slope the ground away from the foundation. Typically a slope of an inch a foot for 4 to 5 feet is adequate as long as water is not allowed to stand within 10 feet of a foundation.
- Installs Drains
If grading is not possible, area drains, drains that collect surface water are installed. In some situations, shallow French Drains are used as a solution.
- Water Direction
Advanced's focus is to, when possible, direct water into a street, drainage ditch, or swale. A swale is simply a very shallow ditch that is used to carry off water.
WHAT ABOUT WATER UNDER A SLAB?
Even when there is adequate exterior surface drainage water can flow under the surface and get under a slab. Advanced takes water control to the next level. Based on how the water is flowing Advanced uses the following approaches:
- Install Moisture Barriers
Moisture barriers are vertical layers of plastic that are buried in the ground. As water flows up against a moisture barrier, it is stopped and prevented from getting under a home.
- Install French Drains
French Drains are trenches filled with gravel that have a drain line buried in the gravel. French drains are designed to intercept and remove underground water.
- Install Under Slab Drains
Rarely, it is necessary to tunnel under a foundation and install drains in thetunnels to collect and remove water. Drainage tunnels are dug by hand and typically measure 3 feet wide and 3 feet deep.
 WHAT DOES FOUNDATION DRAINAGE COST
The cost of foundation drainage is often between $1,500 and $2,000 for recontouring a yard. French drains typically start at around $20 per foot. More elaborate drainage systems cost more.
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