What are the Signs of Poor Foundation Drainage?

As with so many issues, it is far easier to deal with poor foundation drainage when you catch it early in the process. This is why it is vital that you learn to recognize the signs of poor foundation drainage as a homeowner. The signs of this damage can be broken up into interior and exterior signs. 

Exterior Signs of Poor Foundation Drainage 

The exterior signs of foundation saturation and drainage problems can be fairly subtle, but when you know what you are looking for, they are easy to spot. First and foremost, you should look at your rooftop gutters and downspouts. If water spills over the top of your gutters during a storm or the downspout dumps water into your yard directly next to your property, it is very likely that water will be building up around your foundation. 

Secondly, check any basement window wells around your home. If you have poor foundation drainage, these are likely to be the first places affected. If your window wells are constantly flooded or seem to drain very slowly after a storm or period of thawing, it is likely that there are issues in your exterior foundation drainage systems. This may also be accompanied by the presence of cracks in your exterior walls. If you see strong signs of structural damage, it is likely that you will also find issues inside your home. 

Interior Signs of Poor Foundation Drainage 

When a property has issues with foundation flooding and drainage, it is very likely that its basement will also be affected. This can be a result of seepage or structural damage. If the issue is seepage, you are not likely to see signs of physical damage to your walls or floor. You might also notice that your walls are wet or find pools of standing water in your property. 

The other possible point of entry for water is through cracks in your property’s walls or foundation. These should be easy to spot as long as your basement is well lit. These cracks will generally be darker than the surrounding concrete if water is seeping through them. Whatever the cause of dampness, however, you are likely to see mold and mildew formation if the issue is prolonged. This will lead to an unpleasant smell in the area and could even attract pests into your home.