Drainage

OAKLAND — Host, Sarah Rutan: From your roof to your foundation, it’s important to have systems in place to ensure proper drainage and avoid related problems. Today we’re in Oakland with Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Jim Gardner of Jim Gardner Construction to learn more.

Diamond Certified Expert Contributor, Jim Gardner: So, I have a few tips for you about drainage. The primary source of drainage problems at your home, is the water coming from your roof which channels through your downspouts. A lot of older homes especially, have no connections to their downspouts, i.e.: they’re draining directly adjacent to the building. Those downspouts need to be connected to some form of piping that collects the water and gets it away from your house. Read more

OAKLAND — When it comes to drainage, most homeowners don’t realize there are two different types of water that need to be addressed: surface water and subterranean water (also known as groundwater). Furthermore, these two types of water each require specific solutions to prevent subsequent problems.

Surface water solutions

For most properties, the primary source of surface water is rainwater that comes off the roof. While all homes have some form of gutter and downspout system, the downspouts on some older homes don’t properly divert water away from the structure; they just drain directly onto the ground. When this is the case, the water goes directly into the soil next to the home’s foundation, Read more

OAKLAND — Host, Sarah Rutan: Following heavy rains, it’s a good idea to inspect your home’s foundation and crawlspace for signs of water intrusion. Today we’re in Oakland with Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Jeremey Ke of All Seasons Construction to learn what to look for.

Diamond Certified Expert Contributor, Jeremey Ke: Groundwater issues are a major concern in the Oakland and Berkeley area. We get a lot of water in our hills that saturate the ground, and that water wants to make its way through the ground, out to the Bay eventually. On its way, it often encounters a lot of home foundations and makes its way through the foundation and into the crawlspace. Read more

OAKLAND — Groundwater issues are a major concern in the Oakland/Berkeley area. Following heavy rains, the water that saturates the hills starts to move downward, eventually making its way toward the bay. As it travels, this water encounters a lot of home foundations. On vulnerable properties, water may be able to penetrate the foundation and seep into the crawlspace. Over time, this recurrent water intrusion can result in major damage to these below-grade areas of the home.

To prevent these kinds of issues, you should inspect your foundation and crawlspace following heavy periods of rain and check for signs of water intrusion. Here are a few things to look for:

• White efflorescence around the foundation or in the crawlspace
• Cracks in the ground near the foundation or in the foundation itself
• A musty odor emanating from beneath the home

These are all indicators that water is getting into your crawlspace through your foundation. Read more

LAFAYETTE — Host, Sarah Rutan: When having a new drainage system installed on your property, it’s worthwhile to get an idea of how it functions. Today we’re in Lafayette with Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Bob Devengenzo of Devengenzo Landscaping & General Engineering to learn more.

Diamond Certified Expert Contributor, Robert Devengenzo: When we go to meet a client, our initial tip, most important tip is the fact that we’re going to put in a two-pipe system. The lower pipe is utilized to pick up subterranean water. The upper pipe is used to pick up roof water and to pick up surface water. And we think these are one of the most important things that clients should know about the functionality of a drainage system. Read more

LAFAYETTE — While often overlooked, drainage is nonetheless a vital functional aspect of any home. There are a few different ways to go about achieving proper drainage, but the most common method is installing a “two-pipe system.”

A two-pipe drainage system is designed to pick up water at two levels: above and below the ground. The upper pipe picks up surface water from drain inlets, as well as water washed down from the roof, while the lower pipe is designated for collecting subterranean water. During installation, the lower pipe is wrapped in filter fabric to prevent silt intrusion and then filled around by rock to maximize drainage. Altogether, a two-pipe system ensures water is collected at multiple levels and transported away from the home to the proper outlets. Read more

WALNUT CREEK — Due to the rainy weather, one of the biggest concerns during the winter is proper drainage. To prevent water and/or structural damage to your home, you should inspect two key areas before the season begins:

Gutters
The single most important measure you can take before winter is to make sure your gutters and downspouts are clean and functional. You should also check the drainage basins around your property (if there are any). A good way to test your downspouts and other drainage components is to insert a garden hose and make sure the water flows out as it should; if it doesn’t, there’s a clog somewhere.

Crawl space
Drainage is critical in the crawl space beneath your home, Read more