Demander au Bâtisseur : N'abritez pas des contrats pour travail inutilisé
Solving and Preventing Ponding Water Catastrophes
Just yesterday, I saved a homeowner in Ohio a whopping $30,000! Seems he stumbled upon my website, reached out for a consultation and was on the verge of signing a waterproofing contract for a hefty sum. The problem? Water was pooling near his house foundation. But fear not, my expertise came to the rescue as I demonstrated that the water wasn't the culprit behind his troubles. He'd be kicking himself if he hadn't called!
The catch? The bandboard that caps the ends of his floor joists was rotten, thanks to condensation caused by wintertime moisture that couldn't evaporate due to 6-inch thick fiberglass insulation pressed against the wood[1]. My advice? Ditch the insulation, fix any severe rot, install 4 inches of closed-cell foam insulation and fill any gaps with expanding foam to prevent future water vapor contact[1].
Speaking of our talkative homeowner, he confessed to causing part of the ponding water issue due to raised landscape beds. Oops! As it turns out, even professionals in the landscaping field may overlook the minimum requirements set by the building code.
These standards state that the ground should slope down and away from each foundation wall and extend at least 6 inches in the first 10 horizontal feet away from the wall. Unfortunately, hillsides pose a challenge in satisfying this requirement on the uphill side of the house[2]. My advice? Strive for a steeper slope of 9 or even 12 inches if possible[2]. Remember, building code is the bare minimum – you can and should aim for better!
Now, let's tackle ponding water. Observing my college degree in geology with a focus on hydrogeology, I'd like to share some insights on linear French drains, a solution that's been a topic of discussion in this column for upwards of 30 years.
These drains serve as a ground-level gutter, preventing water pooling by directing it away from the foundation. They consist of a narrow 6-inch wide trench, 24-inches deep (or deeper, depending on the location), filled with gravel, a perforated pipe, and more gravel[3].
With ponding water no longer your enemy, it's time to arm yourself with knowledge! Check out AsktheBuilder.com for videos and in-depth columns all about linear French drains, managing downspout drain lines, and getting foundation heights correct[4]. Happy learning!
© 2024 Tim Carter. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Headliners
- Chehalis billboard becomes property of local tribe
- Mariners' Julio Rodriguez opens up about home invasion
- Supreme Court refuses Seattle cops' bid to keep Jan. 6 participation secret
- Dissatisfied with protests, Trump deploys California National Guard without governor's consent VIEW
- For a seventh time, Orcas Island chef earns James Beard Award nomination
Footnotes
- Insight: Condensation and Wood Rot
- Insight: Minimum Foundation Grading Standards
- Insight: Drainage Solutions for Housing Foundations
- Insight: Tim Carter – Ask the Builder
- Insight: Interior Waterproofing
In Seattle, a Mariners' star, Julio Rodriguez, recently opened up about a home invasion he experienced. Meanwhile, on a different note, the Supreme Court denied Seattle police officers' request to keep their January 6th participation secret. Interestingly, Tim Carter, a Seattle resident known for his home-improvement advice, suggests implementing linear French drains for effective ponding water management at home. This solution, a topic of discussion in Carter's column for over 30 years, can prevent water pooling near the foundation and bypass building code minimum requirements for foundation grading, particularly on hillsides[2]. Additionally, gardening enthusiasts might find Carter's advice beneficial in maintaining healthy home-and-garden landscapes, as even professionals may overlook basic requirements.
