Water pooling around the exterior of your house is never a good thing, because it shows that the drainage and runoff solutions of your property have failed to function as designed. This could be caused by any one of a number of reasons, such as your gutters being blocked, a local storm drain overflowing, or perhaps just insufficient drainage pathways around your property after renovation.
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Either way, there are many consequences to water pooling. To begin with, it can damage the structural integrity of your property, place undue pressure on slant basement windows, or loosen steps, damage the garden, and more. In addition, pooled still water isn’t hygienic, and can be an added danger you simply shouldn’t have to deal with.
Of course, one good way to understand you have a runoff issue is to see the still water present. But that’s not always the case, because this water may still drain but much more slowly, and so you might not have noticed it. It could also pool under some garden fixtures or landscaping if you’re not careful. In this post, we’ll discuss some signs so you can be sure of your identification:
Soil Erosion
If you notice soil erosion or soil damage in your garden, it may be a sign that water isn’t draining correctly. It’s not always a terrible thing for water to drain through your landscaping, but only if you’ve specifically prepared for it, such as by implementing a rain garden that looks great and has the right plants and roots to properly absorb excess water. Even then, heavy water flow is not always contained by this feature, so make sure to inspect your soil quality and garden landscaping if you suspect drainage issues.
Pungent Smells
Still water and blocked drains smell, and it’s an unmistakable musk that will notify you of something wrong. Unfortunately, water pooling is also unhygienic, especially for pets who might try and drink it. If you smell pungent water it could be that you’re suffering blocked drains, or worse, that the improper drainage has affected your connection to the sewer system in part. In some cases (like in rural properties), it’s important to make sure the sewage line towards your septic tank is unimpeded by water drainage issues.
Water Stains
Water stains are a good sign that water may be pooling or has pooled in the past. These stains are unmistakable, often shown as damp marks on walls or the floor. While this might not signal the fact that your water pooling is in need of emergency repair, understanding where it’s most likely to build if the conditions are right can help you put preparatory measures in place. For example, perhaps your next driveway can be designed with more of a slope and side gutter to make certain water flows around it correctly.
With this advice, you’re sure to notice and repair the most common signs of water pooling around your property. This set of resolution measures can prevent the need for large-scale disaster recovery from water damage.
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