Improve drainage around your foundation
Three drainage interventions you can do this weekend that will protect your foundation for years.
What you'll learn
- Why downspouts are the #1 source of foundation moisture problems
- How to extend a downspout 5+ feet from the foundation
- How to fix reverse-grade landscape beds
- When a French drain is overkill vs. necessary
- Why daylight discharge always beats a sump pump
Step by step
- Walk every downspout. Confirm it discharges 5+ feet from the house.
- For each downspout that doesn't, add a flexible extension (under $20 at hardware store).
- Walk the perimeter and note any landscape beds sloped toward the house.
- Re-grade those beds — minimum 6 inches drop in 10 ft, away from foundation.
- Check for hardscape (driveway, patio) shedding water at the foundation. Plan corrective drainage if needed.
Safety note
These three steps solve roughly 60% of foundation moisture problems we see in San Diego. The other 40% need engineered drainage — which we design and install.
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