5 Questions to Ask About Installing or Replacing Foundation Drainage

Foundation damage is a serious problem, making homeowners quake upon its mention. Everything related to a home depends on the state of the foundation, and, unfortunately, water damage is a common culprit that can lead to costly emergency repairs. If you notice any issue with your foundation, there’s a chance your drainage system is damaged or needs to be installed correctly. Here are some questions you can expect to discuss with a pro. 

1. Why do you need foundation drains installed or replaced?

You need to keep your foundation dry—full stop. Damage to the foundation of your home means damage to everything on top of it, so drainage is an extremely important aspect of keeping your home in a solid state. It would be extremely rare for a house to be installed without drainage and most likely would be against building codes. 

2. When do you need this work done?

If you're installing the foundation work for the first time, it will likely be part of a larger project that isn't urgent. However, if your draining system fails and your foundation is already in place, you can consider it an emergency repair. While a pro may not build a new drainage system immediately, they may install a workaround to clear water in the meantime. 

3. Will you need to grade or slope your yard in order to improve your yard drainage?

Water follows the same rules of gravity as everything else—it flows downhill. If your yard is flat, you may experience more standing water through a rainy season than your foundation can handle. For this reason, you need to know if you should grade your yard (also called sloping or re-sloping) in order to channel water away from your house. Grading can be expensive, but it can also result in requiring a less expensive drainage system to be installed. 

4. Where are you trying to prevent water damage?

The foundation of your home is its bedrock, and it needs to remain dry in order for it to last many years. The number one location you need to prevent water damage is to the foundation itself. After that’s ensured, other parts of the home like the basement and other buried additions will need to be checked to make sure they won’t be (or haven’t been) affected by water damage. 

5. What type of foundation drainage system do you currently have?

Like many parts of the home, there are a few different types of drainage systems. If you have a layer of gravel surrounding your home, you most likely have a French drain. This is good news, as it’s one of the most effective types. A footing drain works similarly, but the gravel would be buried. Those with concrete surrounding their foundation may have floor drains or sump pumps installed. The cost of replacing or installing each of these varies based on your existing foundation and building requirements, so speak with a local foundation drain installer.