A rainy day can either bring comfort, or it can bring problems. If you have an Alexandria home, you may have noticed parts of this beautiful area accumulate water more than others.
Living in Alexandria you’ll find homes on flat properties, homes at the base of hills, and homes at the top of hills. If you’re a homeowner on the top of a hill, you’re in luck because you’re less susceptible to neighbors’ rainwater coming down to your property. For those who live at the bottom of the hill, you’re not only receiving your own rainwater but that of your neighbors. So what can you do if water is rushing onto your property on a rainy day?
Fix your downspouts
It’s recommended to extend the length of your downspout. That can be done with PVC connections or corrugated piping. Corrugated piping is flexible and inexpensive, but is more prone to deterioration and tree route damage. PVC connections are durable and will last longer than corrugated piping but cost more for installation.
Pop-up emitters attach to the end of a downspout discharge line. It provides an exit point for the water at the base of your property away from the foundation. Pop-ups are also easily maintained for homeowners and the debris from the gutters can be easily collected and removed.
Install a Sump Pump
Sump pumps are installed at the lowest point of your home, usually the basement. When groundwater starts to accumulate and the sump pump is activated, it will take that groundwater and pump it out and away from home. It is important to ensure your contractor installs a freeze gap with your sump pump line. The freeze gap allows water to pass through even if your discharge line gets frozen, so your sump pump can continue working even in those colder conditions.
Fix the Grading
If your yard is sloped towards the house, water will take that as an invitation to flow down. Improving the grading around your home and changing the slope can make a large impact on the direction of water flow.
Install a French Drain
A french drain requires excavation of dirt, lining the trench with filter fabric, laying a perforated pipe down, and filling it with gravel.
In an open drain, the stone is exposed. This stone allows water to pour right through without interruptions and allows water to flow more quickly through the system. The larger the aggregate, the bigger the voids for water to pass through. If you’re thinking of having an open drain put in, ask your contractor about using river stones or river gravel.
In a closed drain, there is usually sod placed back over the gravel to mask the appearance of the drain. Some homeowners prefer the closed drain to keep the uniformity of their lawn.
Contact our team of professionals to provide a consult and estimate.
