VIEWERS QUESTION FACEBOOK: First-time homeowner here! My husband and I have been noticing water pooling near the house after heavy rain. We’re concerned about the proximity of the pooling to the house, and hoping for some suggestions for low-budget solutions. We’ve tried sandbags but they don’t seem to be making any difference, and are considering adding more soil or stones but don’t know if this will help either. There is a cement walkway around the yard that is noticeably higher than the dirt here (see 1st photo), so I think this is part of the problem but removing it right now is not an option.
Thanks in advance for any recommendations!
THE ANSWER: FINDING THE CULPRIT
To keep the budget low I always start with the little stuff. The first step is to determine the cause. Start with an inspection of your gutters. It’s important that they are clear of any debris, as clogs can lead to water overflowing and running down the side of the house. Additionally, check for any noticeable leaks. In pic #1 I notice that your downspout extension is still too close to the house. This may be contributing to the issue you’re having.
EXTENDING YOUR DOWNSPOUTS
The next item to address is extending your downspouts. The most cost-effective method is to purchase additional black corrugated pipe, a minimum of 10 feet in length, and connect it to the existing downspout extensions. Make sure to get the gutter adapter as this will prevent any leakage at the bottom of the gutter. Ideally, we suggest extending the downspouts 10-15 feet away from the foundation of your home. Alternatively, burying the downspouts is an option, but it will result in increased expenses.
BUILDING UP THE GRADE
The last thing I recommend, which can sometimes get expensive, especially if you hire a professional, is to grade the dirt around your home. What does grading mean? Grading is when you change the level (or slope) of the topsoil to include a decline or incline. In this case, you want to grade so that the topsoil is on a slight incline. It’s recommended that you should have one inch of drop for every foot that you move away from the house for the first 5-to-10 feet. The Spruce has a good step-by-step guide on “How to measure your slope”.
