Identifying Improper Drainage at Your Jacksonville Area Home

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

If you experience water damage contact SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE at 904.729.2401. We can help!

Spring time is usually a time we in North Florida get a lot of rain, and water damage can often come with it. Water damage for any reason can be one of the most frustrating and costly situations anyone confronts. From the time it takes to fix, to collateral damages it can cause, it’s safe to say that dealing with water damage is a hassle. With some situations like improper drainage, there are telling signs that water damage may be on the horizon. Here’s how you can identify problems with the drainage around your home.

Inconsistent Yard Growth

Grass, bushes, and flowers all require water to grow. When a specific area and type of plant growth exceeds its surrounding area and type, this is a good sign that water may be accumulating due to poor drainage. As this may not be the most urgent red flag, the closer that inconsistent growth is to your home, the stronger of an indicator it is that the flooding can affect your home.

Downspout Water Accumulation

Our gutters and downspouts should lead water away from our home. When they don’t, and heavy rain comes, the rainwater can seep into our foundation and cause water damage to our homes. A telling sign that our downspouts may need adjustment is if there is water accumulating underneath it. Typically, a water spout should transfer water 4 feet away from your home. If water is expelling closer than 4 feet, it may be likely that water damage can happen.

Foundation Water Stains

Sometimes a problem doesn’t readily identify itself. In this case, discovering water stains on our foundation is evidence of areas that are flooding against your home. Proper landscaping should divert water away from your home, and a rule of thumb that The consensus seems to be that a good slope to aim for when grading land extending out from a house foundation is about 6 inches for the first 10 feet (that translates to a "slope" of 5 percent).

If you experience water damage contact SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE at 904.729.2401. We can help!