Seeing water collect near your foundation after it rains? That’s not something to ignore. Pooling water is a major warning sign that something in your drainage system—especially your gutters—isn’t doing its job. Here’s a breakdown of the most common reasons and what you can do to fix them.
🌧 The Gutter System Isn’t Functioning Properly
Your gutters are your home’s first line of defense against water damage.
Clogged Gutters
When gutters are full of leaves, sticks, and debris, they overflow instead of guiding water through the downspouts. That overflow drops straight to the ground near your foundation.
Improper Gutter Pitch
If your gutters don’t have the correct slope, water won’t flow toward the downspouts. Instead, it pools inside the gutter and eventually spills over the edge.
Leaking or Disconnected Gutters
Loose gutter sections or holes in the system cause water to leak out and land right by your home—especially during heavy rain.
⬇️ Downspouts Are Causing Drainage Issues
Even if your gutters are clear, bad downspout setup can lead to major problems.
Downspouts Are Too Short
If the bottom of the downspout ends right at your home’s base, it’s pushing all that roof water directly into the soil next to your foundation.
Solution: Add downspout extensions or bury the drainage to redirect water away from the house.
Downspouts Are Clogged
If the downspout is jammed, it can’t move water at all. That causes backup in the gutter, leading to overflow and pooling.
🧱 Grading and Landscape Problems
The slope of the ground around your house matters just as much as your gutter system.
Negative Grading
If the soil around your foundation slopes toward the home instead of away, water will naturally collect there no matter how good your gutter system is.
Fix: Regrading the area can redirect water away from the house.
Hardscapes That Trap Water
Patios, walkways, and landscaping can unintentionally trap water near the foundation if not installed properly with drainage in mind.
🧰 Other Causes to Consider
Sump Pump Failure
If your basement has a sump pump and it fails during a storm, water can rise quickly and pool both inside and outside the home.
No Drainage System in Place
Older homes in Michigan may not have proper perimeter drains or waterproofing in place—especially if the gutters weren’t maintained.
What to Do Next
If you’re noticing water around your foundation, it’s best to act fast. Prolonged moisture near the base of your home can lead to:
- Cracks in the foundation
- Basement flooding
- Mold and mildew
- Structural damage
Don’t Wait — Get a Gutter Inspection
A simple gutter cleaning or realignment might solve the problem. In more serious cases, you might need new seamless gutters or downspout extensions. Either way, it starts with a proper inspection.
📍 Book Your Free Inspection Today
📞 Call us at (248)-403-0281
📧 Email us at office@jaexterior.com
🌐 Visit our website at www.jaexterior.com
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