How Hilltop Homes Can Still Face Basement Flooding
Introduction
Understanding how water behaves around your property is the key to keeping your home dry and comfortable all year round. Many homeowners believe that living on a hill automatically means water will flow away from their homes, but that’s not always the case. The soil around your home plays a significant role in water absorption and runoff. In this blog, we’ll break down how water interacts with the soil around your house, why your basement might still get wet even on a slope, and how professional waterproofing solutions can help keep your home safe and dry.
Understanding Water Flow Around Your Home
Water usually flows downhill, but not always. Imagine pouring a glass of water onto a solid surface - it'll flow to the lowest spot with the path of least resistance. However, if you pour that same water onto a sponge, the sponge will soak up most of it first.
Misconceptions About Water Flow on Sloped Properties
Some homeowners think that because their house is on a hill or slope, rain and groundwater will always run downhill. The tricky part here is the soil around your home. Soil acts more like a sponge than a solid surface, especially the soil right next to your house.
The Role of Soil in Water Absorption
When your home was built, the first step was digging a hole for the foundation, which was then backfilled with loose soil. This soil isn’t as packed down as the soil that’s been there for ages, so it absorbs water more easily. When it rains, the loose soil is the first to soak up the water. Runoff happens only when there’s too much water for the soil to absorb, otherwise, the water just saturates the loose soil around your home like a sponge.
The Need for Effective Water Management
For all the rainwater to run downhill, the area around your home would need to be solid. But your house sits in what’s basically a clay sponge, making your basement prone to flooding by design. That’s why you need a way to move the water away from your basement - without a sump pump, your basement will end up wet!
Professional Basement Waterproofing Solutions
As expert basement waterproofers, we encourage all homeowners to get a free estimate for basement waterproofing. Our experts will check out the soil, the land around your home, as well as your basement to come up with a customized waterproofing system. This system will move water away from your basement with a perimeter drainage system connected to a powerful sump pump. A dry home is more comfortable and healthier for your whole family.
Choose Frank's Basement Systems
If you’re looking for a trusted basement waterproofing company in the Greater Buffalo, Rochester, and surrounding Western New York areas, look no further than Frank's Basement Systems. Reach our Buffalo office at 1-716-876-3000 or our Rochester office at 1-716-876-3000 today to keep your basement dry and your home healthy all year round.
