You would not want water to get into your basement. Many a homeowner faces grading and drainage maintenance problems in their basement.
What is grading?
Grading is a natural inclination, i.e. grading determines the directional flow of water down a slope. A grade that angles towards your home will direct water towards it. If water is collected and held near a foundation wall, it can lead to basement flooding. If allowed to stand for 48 hours, it can lead to mould growth. Plus, you would not want water to get into any valuable items that you have stashed in your basement.
Water can also seep into wood over a period of time and damage structures, causing foundation damage.
Check for basement flooding
If you are looking for a new home, you will want to check if the place has had a history of flooding. You might also want inspect the basement to check for any tell-tale signs of flooding, like faded water marks. You would not want to be unpleasantly surprised to find that your basement has turned into a mini pool.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to sell your home and you have had a history of flooding you might want to try a few ideas to reduce leakage.
Grades should be pitched away from your home. The ground next to your foundation should slope away from the building. However if there is a hill next to the house the method will be futile.
A simple tweak to your drain can save you thousands
Install a grade below your drain, so that the water is carried away from the foundation ground. This is an essential part of drain maintenance. It will avoid you spending a lot more for fixing drainage problems in the future.