How to Divert Water Away From a House

October 20, 2023

Inadequate water drainage can be a massive headache for homeowners and builders, so managing water runoff is essential for creating the safest and healthiest home possible.  

This guide will explore five ways to divert water from a building’s foundation, redirecting it around the property to mitigate the adverse effects.

Learn more about directing water away from a house and some telltale signs that your home requires better drainage solutions. 

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Ways to Divert Water Away From a House
– Kickout flashing
– Dry streams
– Permeable pavement
– French drains
– Dry well
Importance of Diverting Water Away From a House
Signs of Poor Water Drainage
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5 Ways to Divert Water Away From a House

Knowing how to divert water from the foundation is critical to maintaining a home’s structural integrity and combating costly issues. Read on for five ways to effectively redirect water away from the home’s base for a healthier, more livable property.

1. Kickout Flashing

Installing kickout flashing for your roof is a simple and effective way to redirect water. This solution will catch water and guide it to the roof’s gutter before it runs down the side of your house.

Kickout or diverter flashing prevents water from draining directly around the home’s foundation. It can help homeowners save money on expensive repairs and avoid structural deterioration caused by water damage. 

2. Dry Streams

Constructing a dry stream is another excellent way to divert runoff from a house’s foundation by creating a channel where it can slowly percolate into the ground below.

Dry streams can be a beautiful addition to your yard and usually feature landscaping with natural elements, such as river gravel, boulders or driftwood. They use a sloped design to funnel the water away from the house. 

3. Permeable Pavement

Installing permeable or porous pavement can also aid in redirecting and improving water drainage. Unlike solid paving, which forces excess water to drain along the sides, permeable pavement helps water seep into the ground over a larger surface area. This feature is beneficial for properties with hardscaping that does not allow easy drainage, like driveways, walkways and patios. 

4. French Drains

Installing a French drain is another effective method for diverting water from a house’s foundation to other parts of the property. Like dry streams, these drains feature a small trench, but without the added landscaping elements. Some French drain systems direct the water through perforated pipework and gravel.

5. Dry Well

A dry well is an underground structure that uses gravity to divert excess runoff and stormwater toward the property’s lowest levels into the buried well, where it won’t pose a threat to the home.

Dry wells are low-maintenance drainage solutions hidden below your yard, leaving the landscaping unaffected.

Importance of Diverting Water Away From a House

Any drainage issue around a house can lead to various problematic and costly problems. Here’s why it is critical to divert surface and subsurface water away from a building.

• Puddles: Excess water with nowhere to go could pool in your yard, driveway or sidewalk. Stagnant water can saturate the soil, creating muddy puddles that attract unwanted insects like mosquitos.
• Foundation damage: Poor drainage can wreak havoc on a house’s foundation, causing cracking and heaving. If left unattended, the water may lead to severe and expensive structural damage. On average, foundation repairs cost nearly $5,000 to correct.
• Sump pump strain: Excessive water can cause a building’s sump pump to work overtime, straining the system until it fails. Broken equipment may create an even worse drainage issue, especially in houses with basements. 
• Mold and mildew growth: If you do not effectively divert water from the house, drywall and paint could succumb to mold and mildew growth. Wood can rot and weaken, causing another onslaught of problems.
• Insect and rodent infestations: Pests love wet environments. Insufficient drainage can create a perfect atmosphere for rodents, ticks and mosquitos, which can be a health hazard for the people and animals living in your home. 

Ultimately, installing proper drainage solutions is essential. The longer water damage accumulates, the higher your likelihood of developing severe and costly problems.

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Signs of Poor Water Drainage

Here are some telltale signs of an inadequate water drainage system around a house.

• Enduring pools of water: If you see slow-draining puddles or pools of water around the house’s foundation, it is highly likely your drainage system needs improvements. You may also notice lawn issues like excessive muddiness long after the rain passes.
• Water stains: Water stains on the interior walls, especially in the house’s basement, indicate excessive water buildup.
• Erosion: Runoff from poor drainage may wear away the landscaping and strip away the yard’s topsoil. Erosion can worsen flooding and drainage issues. 
• Basement flooding: Leaks or floods in the basement often result from excessive water seeping in around the foundation. 
• Bad smells: Stagnant water around the home can develop a foul odor similar to sewage over time, which can eventually get into the home. 
• Large cracks: Cracking along the house’s foundation, patio or sidewalk indicates poor water drainage. Large cracks are a significant cause for concern. 
• Moss growth: A lesser-known sign of inadequate drainage is moss growth. If you notice patches of moss growing in the lawn near the house, it could result from oversaturated soil.

Buy Kickout Flashing in Bulk From Kickout Flashing by PBZ

If you’re looking for high-quality roof kickout flashing, turn to Kickout Flashing by PBZ. Keep rainwater away from your home with a durable product designed to combat expensive repairs down the road. 

We have sturdy powder-coated kickout flashing in four different colors to suit your house’s unique design. We also offer an uncoated aluminum option for protecting your hard work after a remodeling or new construction project. 

Buy kickout flashing from the experts at Kickout Flashing by PBZ or contact us to learn more today. 

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