Don’t let your home suffer costly water damage.

Millions of homeowners face thousands of dollars of repair bills each year that could have been avoided with proper drainage systems. Water damage related insurance claims are some of the most common and expensive problems homeowners face.

The Problem:

Most homeowners don’t focus on drainage until water starts pooling around their foundation. By the time you start seeing pooling water, the damage has already been done and repair bills are quickly mounting.

The solution? Proper drainage. Drainage is one of the best ways to keep water damage from happening in the first place.

In this article you’re going to learn:

• Why Water Damage Cost So Much
• How Poor Drainage Leads to Water Damage
• Everything You Need to Know About Drainage Systems
• Maintenance Tips To Keep Water Out

Why Water Damage Cost So Much

Water damage is a big deal. The Insurance Information Institute reports that water damage and freezing claims accounted for 24% of all home insurance claims between 2019 and 2023. That’s more than any other cause except wind and hail damage.

…and that’s just insurance claims.

The average homeowner will spend over $15,000 when filing a water damage insurance claim. If they don’t have proper coverage or prevention in place, thousands of dollars worth of water damage can ruin whole families financially. Hiring professionals to perform flood cleanup in Allentown PA can save homeowners money in the long run by preventing further damage to their property.

But…

98% of that damage is preventable. One of the best ways to prevent water damage is to have a proper drainage system that channels water away from your home.

Homeowners that allow water to pool around their foundation are begging for expensive water damage problems.

How Poor Drainage Leads to Water Damage

Water damage can happen slowly or all at once. Poor drainage silently wreaks havoc on your home by slowly causing damage to your foundation. Once that water reaches your foundation, it’s only a matter of time before you start seeing serious damage that requires expensive repairs.

Water follows the path of least resistance. If that path leads towards your home, you’ll have water damage. Here’s what to look for:

• Water pools around your foundation and saturates the soil.
• Soil surrounding the foundation expands as it absorbs water and contracts when it dries causing foundation cracking.
• Cracks in your foundation allow in even more water.
• Mold becomes a huge problem when excess water pools around your home.

FEMA estimates that one inch of water can cause up to $25,000 of damage to a typical home. Foundation repair costs alone can range from $2,000-$30,000.

Did you know that 98% of basements will experience water damage in the United States? Yep, that means almost every home with a basement has had to deal with water damage at some point.

What do cracked foundations, mold problems, and sewage backup all have in common? Poor drainage.

If the soil around your home isn’t draining properly, that water will leak straight into your foundation. Once it’s there, the damage adds up fast.

Everything You Need To Know About Drainage Systems

Every home is different and will need different solutions when it comes to drainage. However, there are several systems that work for the majority of homes.

French Drains

French drains are extremely effective when installed correctly. These systems work by creating a trench around your home filled with gravel and a perforated pipe. Water is directed into the pipe and redirected away from the home.

Benefits of French Drains

• Can be placed around entire home
• Prevents water from ever reaching the foundation
• Very efficient during heavy rainstorms

French Drains do require some excavation to be installed properly. However, they might be the best bet to dry out that damp basement.

Gutters and Downspouts

Gutters and downspouts are pretty simple but often overlooked. When gutters become clogged or damaged they spill over during rainstorms and dump all that water directly down the side of your house.

Downspouts should extend 4-6 feet away from your home’s foundation. This small change can make a huge difference over time.

Grading

Believe it or not, the soil around your home should actually slope away from your foundation. Proper grading keeps surface water from pooling around the foundation.

If your soil slopes towards your home instead of away from it, rainwater will roll right down into your basement.

The good news

It’s not too late to fix your grading. Fixing grading issues is cheap compared to fixing foundation damage.

Sump Pumps

Every basement and crawl space should have a sump pump installed. Sump pumps are installed in holes dug into the ground beneath your home. As water builds up, it collects in the sump pump and is pumped away from the foundation.

If you live in an area with high water tables or high flood risk, this is a must.

Buy a quality pump with a battery backup in case power gets cut during stormy weather.

Maintenance Tips To Keep Water Out

Installing a proper drainage system isn’t enough. Maintaining it is crucial as well. A poorly maintained drainage system is about as useful as no system at all.

Let’s take a look at some things you can do to maintain your system.

• Gutters – Clean your gutters out twice a year. Debris and leaves accumulate quickly. Always inspect them after heavy storms as well.
• Downspouts – Inspect downspouts to ensure they are always pointing away from your foundation. They can shift over time. You don’t want water rolling down your downspout straight into the foundation.
• Grade – Check the grading around your home once Spring rolls around. Soil settles over time and can cause dips that pool water.
• Sump Pump – If you have a sump pump, test it! Pour a few buckets of water down the hole and make sure it turns on. You should also consider buying a pump with battery backup.
• Cracks – Take a walk around the foundation of your home and look for cracks. Small cracks in your foundation can turn into big problems later.

Taking care of these things will only take you a few hours once a year. The cost of neglecting them could cost you thousands.

Wrapping Things Up

Correct drainage could be the best investment you make as a homeowner. Repairing water damage is expensive and most of the time preventable. Sure, mother nature can cause massive amounts of water damage in a single night. But most water damage comes from poor preparation.

Any home drainage system should include:

• French drains or other subsurface drainage
• Gutters and downspouts that are well maintained
• Grade sloping away from your homes foundation
• Sump pumps for basement and crawl spaces
• Regularly maintained

Water damage doesn’t discriminate based on how new your home is or how well your home is insulated. Water will find the weakest point and make you pay. By investing in a solid drainage plan today, you can avoid costly repairs down the road.

Don’t wait for your foundation to start cracking before you take action. Stop water before it ever reaches your foundation.

Last modified: March 23, 2026