Are you worried that your home could have a drainage problem? That's not something that you can ignore. You need to address it now. A drainage problem can swiftly become difficult and expensive to manage. Luckily, many of the signs are fairly easy to notice.

Overflowing Gutters

The purpose of gutters is to funnel rainwater and unwanted moisture away from your house. If water is pooling beneath your gutters and muddy water is collecting on the side of your house, your gutters may no longer be draining properly. Gutters need to be maintained to be effective. Over time, they can develop issues, such as being blocked or leakage.

While you may need to repair or replace your gutters, it's also important to get your foundation inspected if you've experienced any standing water. Often, you won't notice these types of drainage issues until there is heavy rainfall or flooding in your area—your gutters may overflow and you'll see pools of water and mud around your property.

It's also possible that your property isn't sloped properly, so the water is draining into your home rather than away—this is very dangerous.

Cracks in the Foundation

If you've seen cracks in your foundation, it's usually due to one of three things: water damage, tree roots, or settling. Settling happens naturally when a house is first built and can leave some small cracks in your foundation. If the cracks are old and small, it's usually still settling.

Over time, trees that are close to your home can send roots towards your home. This is also a sign that water may not be draining around your property properly, because tree roots will go where the water is. Tree roots can be devastatingly dangerous for something that seems benign, and occasionally may require cutting down any close trees.

Finally, water damage causes rapid and significant cracks in foundation since it causes the foundation to swell and warp. If you have cracks that are new or growing, you need to consult a professional.

Mildew in the Attic

Mildew in your attic often means that water has entered your house. Any increase in humidity can mean that water is creeping up the structure of your property. Eventually, this will lead to structural damage and mold. Mold is very expensive to remediate.

It's also possible that excess humidity can occur due to malfunctioning HVAC systems or local environmental factors, so it's important to get the advice of an expert specialist. Inspecting your attic frequently can help prevent water damage in your home.

Water Stains in the Basement

In the basement, water stains are usually the first sign that there's an issue with water drainage. Water stains will appear as dark spots in a basement and can remain after the basement has dried. Even if the basement has dried, that doesn't mean the issue has been resolved forever.

Water staining and water pooling in a basement can be addressed by further water-proofing the basement itself, but that still leaves issues of drainage around the house. The ground around your home may need to be further sloped away from your house, or even consider installing a French drain system.

Wet Spots on the Lawn

Wet spots on the lawn either mean you have a drainage or plumbing problem, and neither is a good thing for your home. If you see areas of your lawn that are rapidly growing faster than other areas, that could also pinpoint areas of poor drainage.

If you've got a drainage problem, the time to address it is now. Over time, drainage issues will damage your foundation and the structure of your home, eventually causing significant and costly problems. Contact Exterior Medics for a consultation today.