Water at a basement or foundation wall
Damp or stained lower walls, a wet line where the wall meets the floor, or white mineral deposits on masonry.
Common causes
- The ground slopes toward the house, so soil beside the wall holds water after rain.
- Downspouts empty next to the foundation.
- An older footing drain is blocked, crushed or was never installed.
- Ground water rises during long wet spells.
What to check first
- Watch where roof water goes during a steady rain.
- Look for soil, mulch or paving that tilts toward the wall.
- Note whether the wall is wet after every rain or only after long wet periods.
Options to discuss
Start with grading and downspouts. If water still reaches the wall, a foundation drain collects it at the footing and carries it to an outlet or sump. American Drain panels are one way to build that drain, with an open air space you can look into from the surface.
Water or dampness in a crawl space
Standing water or mud under the house, damp insulation, a musty smell, or condensation on ducts and pipes.
Common causes
- Surface water runs under the house through vents or low spots in the foundation.
- Ground water seeps in along the footing.
- A plumbing or condensate leak, which is not a drainage problem.
- Humid outside air condenses on cool surfaces.
What to check first
- Rule out plumbing leaks first.
- Check whether water appears only after rain.
- Look outside for downspouts and slopes that send water toward the vents.
Options to discuss
Outside work comes first: move roof water away and correct the slope. A perimeter drain at the crawl space wall can then collect what still arrives. The technical library has American Drain's crawl space detail.
Standing water in a yard or lawn
Puddles that last more than a day, soggy turf, or a low strip that stays muddy.
Common causes
- A low spot with no outlet.
- Compacted or clay soil that drains slowly.
- Roof or pavement runoff emptying onto the lawn.
- A swale that has filled in over time.
What to check first
- Mark where water stands 24 hours after rain.
- Find the lowest point where water could leave the yard.
- Check where downspouts and sump lines discharge.
Options to discuss
Regrading may be enough. Where it is not, a linear drain collects water along the wet line and a solid pipe carries it to an outlet. American Drain's linear assembly sets two panels over the pipe under a cap at the surface.
Roof water landing next to the house
Splash marks or washed-out mulch under the roof edge, overflowing gutters, or a channel worn in the soil below a downspout.
Common causes
- Gutters are clogged or too small for the roof area.
- Downspouts end at the foundation.
- There are no gutters, so roof water falls along the drip line.
- Buried downspout lines are blocked.
What to check first
- Clean the gutters and watch them in a heavy rain.
- Run a hose into each buried line and confirm water comes out the other end.
- Measure how far from the house each downspout empties.
Options to discuss
Extend or bury downspout lines so they discharge downhill, well away from the house. Where gutters are not practical, a drain set along the roof drip line can catch the water at the ground. Ask an installer which suits your house.
Water on or beside paving
Water sheeting toward the garage, ponding where pavement meets the house, or ice in the same spot each winter.
Common causes
- Pavement slopes toward the building.
- A settled slab has created a low spot.
- Runoff arrives from the street or a higher lot.
What to check first
- Find the low point with a level or by watching a hose.
- Check whether an existing drain is full of sediment.
- Note what vehicles cross the area.
Options to discuss
Paved areas usually need the slab re-pitched or a surface drain rated for the traffic that crosses it. Ask an installer what suits the loads and the layout.
Runoff from a slope or a neighboring lot
Water crossing the property line in a storm, erosion channels on a slope, or a wet strip at the base of a hill or retaining wall.
Common causes
- The natural slope sends runoff your way.
- New paving or building uphill changed where water goes.
- Ground water surfaces at the base of a slope.
What to check first
- Trace the path during rain and photograph it.
- Check local rules before changing where water leaves your lot.
- Talk with the neighbor early.
Options to discuss
An interceptor drain across the slope catches water before it reaches the house and carries it to an approved outlet. A linear drain can serve as that interceptor. Discharge rules vary by town, so confirm them first.
