Heavy rainfall can have a detrimental impact on your property. The accumulation of water against the foundation can promote the appearance of cracks in the concrete footing and allow infiltration or the presence of mold.
To avoid these inconveniences, it is advisable to protect the foundation by keeping water away from your home. With the professionals at Groupe Fissure Expert, discover how to protect your foundation from heavy rain with a few preventive measures.
Our proven solutions to keep water away from your foundation
To protect your property and its foundation from precipitation, it is important to work upstream. Here are some tips from our concrete foundation experts :
Your land must have a positive slope
If your land has a negative slope, water will tend to flow against your foundation, increasing the risk to your property. In the event of prolonged contact, the concrete can lose its impermeability and become damaged.
Make sure you have a positive slope at the base of your foundation so that water is as far away from your concrete structure as possible.
Check for a French drain
In Quebec, the installation of a French drain has become mandatory. This drainage system, installed underground and around the foundation, allows water to be drained before it can damage the concrete.
If you already have a French drain, check its condition annually. Is it working properly? Take the appropriate steps to prevent your drain from becoming clogged and losing its effectiveness.
Monitor the drainage of water from the gutters
A gutter problem can have serious consequences on your foundation. Inspect your gutters regularly to make sure they are keeping water away from your foundation.
Downspouts must be located away from your property and facing away from your property. Otherwise, the water will run off the concrete and create wear and tear over time. If the downspouts are too close to the foundation, it is advisable to install an extension cord to reduce the possibility of damage.
Avoid flower beds and keep an eye on nearby vegetation
It’s a well-known fact that plants need water to live. Avoid installing flower beds near your foundation, as they will attract water. In the case of heavy rains, these plants will not be able to absorb the amount of water accumulated quickly enough. Moisture therefore has plenty of time to create damage to the foundation or to seep inside the house.
For plants, such as trees, the roots can spread to the wettest areas. If water is around your foundation, these plants can damage or block drainage systems such as the French drain. Regularly check the condition of the latter to make sure that it will work perfectly during heavy rainfall.
Inspect the foundation regularly and ensure that it is properly waterproofed
To ensure that your foundation is resistant to the heavy rainfall recorded in Quebec, have your foundations inspected regularly by a professional.
An expert can analyze the condition of your foundation and tell you if your foundation needs crack repairs. It can also work to prevent water infiltration and cracking, by adding an impermeable membrane to reinforce the foundation.
A healthy foundation is important to limit the risks associated with heavy rainfall. The Fissure Expert Group has a great deal of expertise in the field and we can help you anywhere in Canada.
Trust Groupe Fissure Expert to protect your foundation
Several solutions exist to protect your foundation from heavy rain and avoid the inconveniences that can alter your home.
If you are not sure if you are in a risky situation or if you need a hand in protecting your foundation, contact the professionals at Groupe Fissure Expert.
Need a Crack Repair Expert?
If you notice cracks on your foundation, it is important to act quickly. Fissure Expert offers professional foundation crack injection services throughout Quebec. Call a certified foundation crack contractor for a free estimate. We serve Chicoutimi, Longueuil, Sherbrooke and several other cities.