Can Poor Drainage Cause Foundation Issues?

You’re probably familiar with many common signs of a poor drainage system: bad smells, slow water pressure, flooding and slow drainage to name a few. However, the more serious effects can often go unnoticed until it’s too late.

One such issue is the damage that inadequate drainage can cause to the foundations of a building. From cracks to settling, drainage problems compromise the structural integrity of a property over time, so it’s essential you do what you can to prevent this. But how does poor drainage cause foundation issues? And how can you stop this from happening in the first place? The team at 1st Call Drain Clearance & Technical Services is here to explain everything you need to know.

Common drainage problems that affect foundations

• Leaking pipes: If leaking pipes are left ignored or unnoticed, this excess water can flow down into the soil underneath your foundations, which can affect its stability.
  

• Blocked guttering: The purpose of your guttering is to direct heavy rainfall away from the walls and foundations of your home. If these become clogged, water run-off will pool around these areas and seep through the soil into the foundations.
  

• Clogged drains: A clogged pipe can cause sewage back-ups which can potentially contaminate the soil beneath your foundations with hazardous waste and weaken the foundations.
  

• Flooding: If you live in an area that’s vulnerable to flooding, this sudden influx of water can take its toll on your building’s foundations and cause shifting and upheaval.

What are the signs of poor foundation drainage?

If you suspect that poor drainage might be affecting the foundations of your building, there are a few things you’ll need to keep an eye out for, both inside and outside of your property:

• Cracks: When the foundation of a building shifts even slightly, this can create cracks in the walls. Horizontal cracks in particular indicate that there has been a build-up of hydrostatic pressure that has pushed against the foundation wall.
  

• Seepage: Have you noticed that the walls of your home are wet, peeling or mouldy? If water has begun to seep into visible areas that it shouldn’t, chances are it might be infiltrating your foundations as well, meaning your drainage system will need immediate attention.
  

• Sagging floors: If water has damaged your foundation, it may have shifted and changed the density of the soil below, leading to sagging or uneven floors.
  

• Pooling water: While you might not think puddles surrounding your home are an issue, an excessive amount of pooling water can saturate the soil and cause it to expand, putting pressure on the foundations. If your home has a basement, you may notice mould and pooling water appearing here if you’re experiencing drainage issues.

How to prevent drainage issues from damaging your foundations

While it can be tempting to just ignore your drainage issues and put off dealing with them until a more convenient time, unfortunately, this isn’t really an option. Time is of the essence and you’ll need to resolve the problem as quickly as possible to avoid expensive and long-term damage that compromises the structural integrity of your building. 

So how can you prevent this?

• CCTV drain survey: A CCTV drainage survey uses the latest equipment and a specially designed camera to identify any damage in your drains and find the source of a leak. CCTV drain surveys are also a great preventative measure and can pinpoint any areas of concern before they escalate into more serious problems.
  

• Install a sump pump: If you live in an area prone to flooding, it could be a good idea to invest in a sump pump. This will be installed in the basement of your home and automatically detects rising water levels and pumps water away – check out our previous article on the subject here.
  

• Contact a trusted drainage contractor: Only the support of a reliable drainage contractor, like 1st Call Drain Clearance & Technical Services, can protect your home against foundation problems caused by poor drainage. We’ll work with you to identify the source of the problem and carry out the necessary drain cleaning, unblocking or excavating required. Plus, we can even be on hand in a crisis with our emergency drainage services.

With over 20 years of experience, the experts at 1st Call Drain Clearance & Technical Services can resolve any drainage issue with ease, ensuring your drainage systems are all functioning as they should be. We serve homeowners across Central London, Harrow, Ealing and the surrounding areas – contact us to learn more.