My home is brick, and every time it rains I end up with standing water under the house. Originally I thought it may have been coming in the vents around the foundation. I dug down to the bottom of the foundation at each of the vents, poured a u-shaped 6 inch wide concrete pad around each vent so the water could not get to them, and filled the void with gravel. This did not help at all so I thought maybe it was seeping in through the foundation because when i crawled under while it was raining the front wall seemed really damp. So I dug down to the bottom of the foundation all the way around the house and covered it with a tar-like substance from Lowes. I put on two coats and then let it sit a couple of days before putting the dirt back. It rained for the first time since yesterday and I have a huge puddle of water under the front room of my house again. I do not know where to go from here. Could the water be leaking on the back side of the bricks and running under the house? There are no signs of water inside the house. Please help.
Our Answer
I'm so sorry to hear the extraordinary lengths you've gone to in efforts to pinpoint – and fix – this problem. I wish you'd reached out sooner, because as soon as I read your first sentence – “every times it rains I end up with standing water under ths house” – I understood the issue and could provide a solution.
The reason spaces and basements flood is because water collects at the foundation perimeter and seeps through or under the foundation into the space below. To keep water out, you have to first assess the condition of your gutters. Assuming you have gutters (which you must!), you need to make sure there's an adequate number of downspouts – at least one per every 600-800 square feet of your home's footprint. Even more, you need to make sure your gutters are clean and free-flowing, and that they discharge at least 6 to 8 feet from your home's foundation. If they don't, extending your existing gutters is simple.
Next, assess your grading, which is the angle of soil around your foundation's perimeter. Make sure the soil slopes at least six inches over the first four feet, and continues gently down after that. If you keep the soil around your foundation perimeter dry, you won't get this standing water during or after rain or snow.
Good luck! Let us know how it goes.
What kind of soil should I use under my raised house to prevent flooding? I plan to add soil to raise the level and grade it. Can you suggest what type of soil I should use? I think it is basically a clay that seems to remain moist long after the flooding has stopped. Then I plan to add the French drains and underground extenders from my downspouts.
I appreciate any suggestions that you have to offer.