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Can Sprinkler System Cause Foundation Problems?

Underground sprinklers are another great feature to help grow mold in basements. People will water all around their foundation for hours on end, trying to test the waterproofing membranes to the limits. The problem is that plants will be exposed to water for a very short period. Gravity then takes over, and the water is below the root line, and often the easiest path leads to the foundation wall. Excessive watering along the foundation puts an undue strain on the foundation walls. Rule #2: do not run underground sprinklers near the foundation of the home. Instead, consider placing properly graded mulch over the gardens to reduce the amount of water needed. Another option is to plant local plant species that require less water; this is called xeriscaping. Finally, ensure that you drain the underground sprinklers before every winter and check for leaks every spring when turning it back on.

Can Gutters and Eaves Trough Help Keep a Basement Dry?

Gutters and eaves troughs (depending on where you live, you may know them by different names) exist to move water off the roof and away from the house. Some regions of North America do not use gutters, and in those climates, you should ensure that the water that does run off the roof has an easy path away from the house. This can be done with a stone splash ditch to help reduce damage to the soil and gardens around the house. For those with eaves troughs, ensuring that they slope properly towards the downspouts is critical. They should be regularly cleaned off leaves and debris, typically in the fall after the leaves have fallen and before snowfall.

For designers, they must be adequately sized to capture the water coming off of the roof. Two variables affect the speed at which the water runs off the roof: the pitch and roofing materials. A steeper pitch means faster water movement, as does a roof made out of metal. If there is enough speed, water will shoot over the gutter, making it completely useless in heavy rains when it is needed.

Gutter guards, which stop leaves from coming in the gutter, are often not helpful. This is because water loves to stick to water. If the guard has more coverage than holes, the water may stick to itself. This results in the water running across the surface and over the edge instead of into the eaves trough. (It is, unfortunately, more common than one may think.) Rule #3: Regular gutter maintenance is still the best and cheapest solution.

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Clear plastic window well covers can be used. They reduce the visible light to the basement, and because they are UV sensitive, they turn yellow and crack over time—making them less than ideal for outdoor usage. Rule #6: Make sure the window well is at least one foot below the window ledge.

water damage crawlspace
Negative grade under house creates water damage in crawlspace

Dirt Crawlspaces 

If you have a pier-style crawlspace and soil under their home, all of the above applies with one more detail. Too often, under the crawlspace (or large deck), the grade is a mess, and water can pool in shallow areas, impacting air quality and potentially be a structural concern. You’ll want to make sure the positive slope starts from the center of your house and continues outwards. Rule #7: Ensure that the soil in the crawlspace is higher than the surrounding exterior soil.

Bottom Line

To properly assess water concerns, I recommend that you take the time to walk around the building during heavy rain to determine where and how the water is moving around the building. This is a simple and often eye-opening revelation on how water moves, how the downspouts work, where the water moves. It can empower you to make simple changes to improve the durability of your home.

Article By

Stephen Collette

Stephen Collette is a Building Biologist, Building Science Consultant, LEED Accredited Professional, and a Heritage Professional. Stephen is the owner of Your Healthy House and lives in Lakefield, ON with his wife and 2 daughters.

Stephen Collette