Drainage is Key to Foundation Protection and Preservation

Monroe, MI receives more than 33 inches of water each year, according to U.S. Climate Data. That much water has to go somewhere, and when it hits your home’s roof, it has to find its way down to your yard. Your home’s exterior is an integrated system, from roof to foundation. Each part depends on the others to do its job, so if your drainage system fails, your foundation could fail too.

The Role of Roofing and Gutters

No roof is completely waterproof. Roofing materials are water-resistant; they shed water just long enough to move it down to gutters, which empty into downspouts, which carry the water away from your home’s foundation. Therefore, a dry foundation (and basement) depends entirely upon proper drainage, which may include:

  • Advanced drainage
  • Under-deck drainage
  • Downspouts and extensions

Professional Gutter Installation

Proper drainage is not a do-it-yourself project, despite what home improvement stores may stock on their shelves. Do you know the difference, for instance, between French drains and downspout extensions? Do you know how to provide graded drainage under a deck?

Advanced drainage systems can contend with even the biggest Michigan deluges. Correctly sized downspouts will never clog when properly matched to either 5-inch or 6-inch gutters. On the other hand, too narrow a downspout will cause horizontal gutters to overflow, risking all sorts of problems, such as:

  • Rotting fascia
  • Water infiltration into attic and between walls
  • Saturated ground against your foundation
  • Basement seepage

Since drainage is key to foundation protection, professional drainage installation and maintenance are key to good drainage. It is not a job designed for weekend warriors!

Foundation Protection

Many homeowners overlook just how damaging improperly directed drainage water can be on their foundations. Brick, concrete block and cast concrete foundations are strong, but water is persistent. Over time, the pressure of saturated soil pushing against a structure’s foundation can lead to cracks, gaps or even foundation failure. Water can easily seep into your basement or crawl space from that soggy ground.

Thankfully, basement flooding issues can all be avoided by simply directing drain water away from your structure’s foundation out into the yard or into storm drains. Yet, how can the average homeowner know if a downspout extension is adequate or if French drains would be better?

Choosing the Right Contractor

The best way to protect your foundation is to enlist the services of a trusted, local partner familiar with water problems in Monroe, MI and the surrounding area. Pick a company like PG Contracting who has extensive experience handling both drainage concerns and foundation issues. Choose a partner willing to go the extra mile to keep your structure’s drainage system in perfect shape and ready to handle the next thunderstorm.

It also helps to know if the company you intend to do business with has met the standards of the Better Business Bureau. Whether you simply need to repair or replace gutters on your home, or you need the full service of advanced drainage systems, look for a local, reputable professional like PG Contracting who has the right equipment and experience to handle your challenge.