Exterior Drainage Systems for Kansas City Homes
The number one cause of foundation damage and flooding basements is poor drainage. In most instances where water is getting inside a basement or crawlspace we can stop the water by correcting drainage and grade. One season of overflowing gutters and downspouts not draining properly can do tens of thousands in structural damage. In order to maintain a healthy environment and keep your home on a solid foundation the best thing you can do is stay diligent in maintaining the exterior drainage of your home.
Types of Residential Drainage Systems
There are various types of drainage systems you can consider for your home. Our experts will assess your home’s current drainage situation and, after discussing your needs and expectations with you, will suggest the best drainage solutions for you. Often you will need multiple drainage systems working together to fully protect your foundation’s stability. There are surface drainage solutions to quickly displace surface water during rainfall. There are also subsurface drainage systems designed to catch the water that has already saturated into your soil. A downspout and gutter system is another drainage system that will be invaluable in protecting your home’s foundation. And of course, the slope or grade of your yard is another important drainage factor.
How does water damage a foundation?
It might be hard to imagine how too much water around your house could do more than cause a muddy mess in your yard. But excess water in the soil is a leading cause of foundation damage. What happens when the ground gets saturated with water is a drastic increase in the soil’s hydrostatic pressure. Water weighs nearly 8.5 pounds per gallon and one inch of rain falling on 1 acre of ground is equal to about 27,154 gallons of water – that’s about 113 tons. If your home rests on the average plot size of about .20 acres, you can expect about 22 tons of water to fall on and around your home. Without a proper drainage system, all of that water will soak into the soil around your foundation and press inward on it. This leads to leaks, cracks, and buckling. Even once the soil dries out after being oversaturated, it is likely to shift, shrink, and pull away from your foundation. This shifting soil puts more of your home’s weight on your foundation walls instead of having it dispersed throughout the soil. The preventative maintenance of installing a proper drainage system is your best bet at preventing the complication and expense of foundation problems.
Gutter Drains – Sump Pump Drains – Basin Drains ![]() |
Saturation Drains – French Drains – Curtain Drains French drains are also saturation drains and are commonly used to absorb water from the subsoil allowing for faster drying cycles, keeping the soil more absorbent for the next rain. French drains are often misused as a “fix all” and are often installed incorrectly, causing more problems for the property owner. Our Curtain Drain is most suitable for the collection of water along a foundation or patio when it is not possible to create a grade that flows away from the structure. |
![]() | Grade correction – Soil build up – Swales Correcting the soil around your home may be as simple as adding a few yards of clean top soil to build up the existing grade or be more complex like cutting out the existing soil in order to create proper fall and keep water flowing away from a structure. Many times cutting a swale is the easiest and most economical way of controlling surface water, by changing the grade around a structure we can control how the water will flow in or around your property. The average home will need to have some sort of grade correction every six years as part of its normal maintenance. |
Reviews of our exterior drainage work
“I cannot tell you how exciting it is to look out and see no water running over my front sidewalk. I was able to remove the snow without it icing over for the first time in years. This is all because of your firm. “ – Michelle, KCMO
“I have as high an opinion of Foundation 1 after the job as I had at the start”. – Barbara, Overland Park
“We were very impressed with our experience with Foundation 1. We received quick responses to my multiple calls with questions.” – Geoff, Parkville
Is my home’s grade really that important?
How often should I monitor and maintain my grade?
How important is a properly functioning gutter system?
So this thing with cleaning leaves out of the gutter is important too?
My neighbor’s drainage systems pour right onto my property. Is this a big deal?
How far out from my home should I make sure the water goes?
We always suggest at least 10 feet. The simple bases to put at the base of your gutter downspouts is not sufficient.
What is a Curtain Drain?
Curtain Drain is designed to help divert water. Typically, it will involve digging a trench with the specific goal of moving water from one part of your yard to another. A waterproof liner is put inside the trench, along with a perforated pipe which will help collect the water and transport it. The trench is then filled with gravel so the surface water can reach the pipe.