Choosing the Right Water Drainage Technique for Your Home

March 25, 2025

Well-designed drainage systems help prevent residential water damage and maintain long-term structural stability. As a wholesaler, building supply store owner or roofer, you can guide customers in selecting the best drainage solution for their property.

Read on to learn more about the importance of proper drainage, including different types of drainage systems and techniques, how they work and factors to consider when choosing the right drainage system. We’ll also discuss why kickout flashing is a practical and effective solution for directing water away from homes.

The Importance of Residential Water Drainage Systems

Drainage systems are built to effectively direct excess water away from a home’s roof and foundation. They reduce the risk of water damage and flooding by preventing water from pooling on surfaces, damaging walls and collecting around a structure. A well-designed rainwater drainage system helps protect against leaks, preserving a house’s structural integrity.

Reliable drainage systems enable homes to withstand challenging weather conditions like heavy rainstorms. They’re essential for home maintenance, minimizing expensive repairs and premature renovations due to water-related damage. Ultimately, the proper drainage system helps protect a home, maintains its aesthetic appeal and prolongs its life span.

Consequences of Poor Drainage Systems

Understanding the importance of diverting water away from homes is crucial for long-term maintenance. Here’s how insufficient drainage systems impact property:

  • Structural damage: Stagnant water can seep into ceilings and walls, leading to mold and mildew growth that deteriorates building materials. Water buildup adds weight to roofs, causing them to sag and eventually fail.
  • Low-level floods: Lack of proper drainage causes water to seep into crawl spaces and basements. Over time, flooding and considerable damage can occur to personal belongings, such as appliances and furniture.
  • Foundation damage: Poor drainage allows water to gather around a foundation. This water exerts pressure, leading to cracks and leaks through the basement, compromising the home’s structural stability.
  • Foundation settlement: Inadequate roof and surface drainage systems can erode the surrounding soil, washing away the landscape supporting the foundation. This erosion causes foundation settlement, where the building’s foundation sinks into the soil.

Different Types of Residential Drainage Systems

Water drainage systems use different techniques to divert water away from homes effectively. Which type to use largely depends on the structure of the house and its surrounding landscape. Property owners may also consider how much rain or snow falls in their area every year.

Learn more about the different types of water drainage systems and techniques below:

1. Surface Drainage

Surface drainage systems primarily divert excess water from accumulating on the ground, especially around a house’s foundation. This is typically done by shaping the ground or installing surface drains. Surface drains commonly look like grates placed over catch basins that collect water. The water is directed into underground pipes that usually lead to a sewer system or body of water.

Another surface drainage technique is sloping a home’s surrounding landscape. A slight slope encourages water to flow away from a house, creating an effective surface drainage system. Other options, such as levees and grassy waterways, create a barrier that guides water where it should go instead of pooling toward a house.

2. Subsurface Drainage

Designed to direct excess water beneath the soil, subsurface drainage systems also prevent water buildup that can damage foundations. This drainage technique works by collecting and redirecting water into underground pipes. The pipes are typically installed in ditches or trenches, allowing drains to intercept water away from a house.

An example of subsurface drainage is a French drain, which is made of perforated pipes surrounded by gravel. This catches ground water and redirects it to a more appropriate location, like a sewer system. This type of drainage works well in areas where a surface drainage system is not enough. Subsurface drainage systems are beneficial in locations where water accumulates underground, reducing the risk of soil erosion that weakens foundations.

3. Downspout and Gutter Drainage

The gutters collect water from the roof and channel it into downspouts, which carry the water to the ground.

Rainwater drainage systems, such as well-designed downspouts and gutter drainage, are crucial in directing water away from a home’s roof and foundation. The gutters collect water from the roof and channel it into downspouts, which carry the water to the ground. This flow ensures water is directed elsewhere from a house, reducing the risk of erosion, flooding or structural issues.

Downspouts may also connect to additional drainage structures, such as aluminum extensions or buried pipes. This system directs water several feet away to the ground or an underground sewer system. A well-designed rainwater drainage system also efficiently diverts water, even during heavy storms.

Choosing the Right Drainage System

If you’re a building supply store owner, wholesaler or roofer, you can advise your customers on determining the type of drainage system that suits their needs. Here are factors to consider in choosing an effective drainage system:

  • Property size and slope: Evaluate the land’s natural slope and size and see how it affects the drainage design. If there’s no natural slope, ensure proper grading.
  • Landscape: Landscaping elements like plants, trees and pathways affect drainage and may require specialized draining solutions.
  • Soil type: Soil types absorb water differently. Clay, for example, may need more efficient drainage than sand, which drains water faster.
  • Local climate: Consider the area’s rainfall patterns, especially if it’s prone to heavy storms. The drainage should be able to handle the maximum rainfall.
  • Premium components: Use high-quality gutters, downspouts, pipe materials and other drainage components for durability.

Kickout Flashing as a Solution for Efficient Water Drainage

Kickout flashing is a practical addition to a residential rainwater drainage system, offering a simple and effective solution for managing water runoff from roofs. It redirects water into the gutter system, preventing moisture from damaging a home’s walls, sidings and foundation.

For wholesalers and building supply store owners, recommending kickout flashing to customers can help protect their homes from expensive repairs caused by leaks, mold and flooding. This small but powerful component works to keep water away from homes, extending the longevity of building materials and safeguarding foundations from damage caused by pooling water.

Choose Reliable Kickout Flashing by PBZ

Protecting homes from water damage starts with an effective drainage system. Kickout Flashing by PBZ offers premium kickout flashing engineered for durability and long-term performance.

Our product is tungsten inert gas welded and made from high-strength aluminum for superior reliability. It resists cracks and degradation even in challenging weather. For added protection, we also provide powder-coated kickout flashing options that offer extra resistance against wear and tear, ensuring it remains intact for years.

Whether you’re a wholesaler or a building supply store owner, we offer discounts for bulk orders to make stocking up more manageable and affordable for single-property or large-scale projects. 

Fill out our form to contact us and learn more. Help protect homes with confidence and order high-quality kickout flashing today!

Choose Reliable Kickout Flashing by PBZ
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