Drainage issues are some of the worst to deal with, simply by virtue of how much damage water can cause to a home. This means you need to be particularly careful when dealing with them! And one part of the preparations you can make is getting to know as much about them as possible. Thus, we have put together a list of the most common drainage problems homeowners face.

Issues with downspouts and gutters

Gutters and downspouts can get clogged or suffer a whole series of other issues. If they are improperly installed, any misalignment can cause them to either let water drip down your façade in rivulets or accumulate in the gutters. The same goes for dents or bumps in the gutters. And clogs in either of the two will result in water streaming down the outside of your home. An easy way to prevent most of these issues, other than improper installation, is adding gutter covers and guards. They will keep your gutters safe from damage, stop them from getting clogged, and prevent critters from getting into them.

Depressions in your yard

Depressions in your yard can allow for water accumulation during rainfall. Do not discount this as a small problem. Puddles may not look like that big of a deal. But the more you ignore them, the bigger the problem can potentially get, particularly if these puddles are forming close to your house's foundation. And doubly so if your foundation is somewhat faulty, leading to the formation of cracks where your home meets ground if it features any walkway around it. It is possible for the water to slowly start seeping into the cracks, causing severe water damage to the inside of your home. Constantly battling to keep mold out of your basement would only be the start of your troubles.

Problems with grading

In simple terms, 'Grading' refers to the gentle incline or installed water pathway meant to direct water away from your home and down a drainage catch basin. This way, it neither accumulates near the house walls, ready to cause problems, nor does it flood the streets. However, experts from mastermovingguide.com warn of how often visible grading problems are overlooked during a home purchase. Just like previously mentioned depressions, these do not usually seem like a big deal. However, if the grading directs water to your home, it can cause even more damage than depression accumulation. After all, it is actively funneling excessive amounts of water in the direction of your home!

Clogged pipes

Clogged pipes are one of the most common drainage problems homeowners face. However, what truly makes this issue so thorny is the sheer scope of what can cause it. The most frequent cause of clogged pipes is the accumulation of dirt, be it mineral buildup, toilet paper, small objects, or even hair from showers. Thankfully, however, most of these can be fixed using different chemicals meant to dissolve or break down the clog without ever contacting professional plumbers. A much more severe problem is clogs caused by tree roots. You read that right. It is possible for roots to either break into or grow their way into pipes, feeding on their content and expanding to fill them entirely. In this case, the only solution is to replace the pipes completely. Thankfully, there are ways to safeguard your plumbing from tree roots. 

Pipe leakage

Potentially much worse than a clogged pipe is one that seems to work perfectly fine yet actually sports a leak. This is somewhat less annoying in pipes that funnel water into your home. While having a potential flood on your hands is not fun, at least the water is clean. On the other hand, drainage pipes can disgorge all kinds of unpleasantness if they develop a leak. If a foul odor suddenly develops in your home, you might want to immediately contact a plumbing professional for a checkup. Or, if you are renting and your landlord is responsible for the plumbing maintenance, call them instead. It is not an issue you can fix alone.

Bad odors

No matter how well you go about staging a home for sale to attract buyers, there is one thing that can ruin all your efforts: foul odors. We have already mentioned that it can be a result of a leak in a run-off pipe. However, bad smells can develop due to a whole host of other plumbing problems as well. In fact, the odor itself is one of the most common drainage problems homeowners face and can be fixed. No matter what you might tell yourself, it is not 'normal.' And if you do not want to get used to it, immediately contact a professional plumber so they can offer possible solutions.

Sewer backup

Almost none of the most common drainage problems homeowners face are as horrible as sewer backup, notably because it most commonly happens in toilets. Unfortunately, there is not much that plumbing checks before moving into a home can do to predict or prevent such a problem. It is primarily because of issues in the sewer lateral, the connection between the city's sewage system and your own. However, it can be the result of a bad enough clog. So, make sure to get those taken care of as soon as they pop up!

Erosion or neighbor run-off

Living on a hill can be tricky enough. Living on a hill suffering erosion, or dealing with water run-off from neighbors living a level 'above you, is even worse. Unfortunately, while this is one of the most common drainage problems homeowners face in hilly areas, there is not much you can do to address the cause. All you can do is construct something to redirect the deluge of water. So it does not lead directly to your home. If you are suffering from this problem, you will most definitely notice the first time there is heavy rainfall. Your best bet is to approach your neighbor and see if you can come up with a solution together. 

Final Thoughts

This concludes the list of the most common drainage problems homeowners face. We hope that having read it, you are a bit better prepared to face potential issues ahead! The critical thing to remember is not to panic and immediately look for professional help. Without the proper knowledge and tools, you won't be able to tackle most drainage problems yourself. 

Guest Contributor: Sophia Perry