While a small amount of water around the outside of your home may not seem like a big deal at first, it can cause significant damage to your property — especially if left in place for a long time. While waterproofing and other mitigation strategies can reduce your risk for foundation repair issues, homeowners should address the standing water as quickly as possible.

What Causes Standing Water?

The most obvious cause of standing water is excessive rainfall. If it falls faster than your soil can absorb, standing water will accumulate in low-lying areas. This is especially true if natural groundwater levels beneath your home have been rising. Plumbing leaks in the pipes under the foundation or from sprinkler lines near the house, typically caused by cracks or corrosion, can also cause excess water accumulation.

How Does This Lead to Foundation Repair Problems?

Standing water causes soil to expand, which increases the amount of pressure that is exerted against your home’s foundation. Both lateral and upward pressure can result when soil expands from excess water saturation. 

This can cause the foundation to crack or deteriorate, which also increases the risk of basement flooding. When extreme pressure from oversaturated soil occurs, the entire foundation could shift, resulting in major structural problems, such as bowing walls, sloping floors, or even walls separating from the house.

How Can You Address Standing Water?

While you can’t change the absorbency of your soil, you can reduce standing water around your property. Quite often, homeowners need to adjust the landscaping so that it slopes away from their house. Adding more soil to the area closest to the house will ensure that groundwater runs away from your property. When the runoff drains away from the home, standing water is less likely to occur. 

Keeping gutters and downspouts in good condition also helps redirect water away from the foundation. In addition to regularly removing leaves and other debris that can cause clogs, check for leaks and corrosion, which indicate a failing gutter system that should be replaced. 

Finally, having a contractor waterproof the interior and address any pre-existing foundation repair problems will stop leaks and keep damage from worsening. This is done by sealing cracks and applying a waterproofing membrane to the basement walls. Installing a sump pump or drainage path beneath the basement floor will also help prevent flooding.

If you need foundation repairs or help dealing with standing water on your property, contact Tide Waterproofing, Inc in Indianapolis, IN. In business for over 20 years, their waterproofing contractors provide high-quality, individualized solutions to keep your home or business safe from water damage. Best of all, their waterproofing work comes with a lifetime, transferable warranty. To learn more or to schedule a free quote, visit them online or call (317) 241-3099.