The Ultimate Homeowners’ Guide: How to fix Standing Water Quickly in Your House in 3 Easy Steps

Many of our clients in Austin and the surrounding area are surprised to learn that sometimes a puddle is a very bad thing. If a puddle near your home is a result of poor drainage, standing water can be a real threat to your home.

It can seep into cracks in your home’s foundation, leading to water damage. It can support dangerous mold growth, which can have a negative impact on the health of your family.

There are some time- and labor-intensive ways to remedy standing water in the long-term. In this article, though, we’re going to look at how to fix standing water quickly in your house. These quick tips don’t hurt your pocket or eat up all your spare time.

The Ultimate Homeowners’ Guide: How to fix Standing Water Quickly in Your House in 3 Easy Steps

1. Clean your guttering

This is a quick, simple, absolutely free project that you can do on a clear Saturday morning. Your guttering needs to be free of debris and leaf litter so that water can drain the way it’s supposed to, instead of gathering as puddles around your home.

It won’t take long to clear out your gutters. Simply use a sturdy ladder to reach the guttering, and pull leaves, twigs, and other debris out with your hands. Once you’ve finished taking out the large pieces of gunk, flush your gutters with a hose to make sure your downspouts are clear.

Cleaning out your gutters twice a year is a great task to add to your home maintenance routine, but a lot of roofing professionals recommend checking problem guttering if the weather forecast shows storms are rolling your way.

2. Redirect your downspouts

If your downspouts are directing water from your gutters towards your home, they need to be turned. Water should flow away from your home, and down a clear path that minimizes standing water and flood risk. If your downspouts are quite short, it could also be worth investing in downspout extenders for under $10. These attach to your existing spouting so you can extend your downspouts to the recommended 6 feet—preventing water from settling near your foundation.

3. Install an eco-friendly rain collector

If you can’t extend or redirect your downspout, find a large, appealing, waterproof container. Rain barrels are a popular choice for water collection, since they can be a decorative landscaping feature as well as a practical standing water solution. They are also a way to store extra water for watering plants, washing cars, rinsing sports equipment, or cleaning the driveway.

A couple of things to keep in mind if you decide to collect roof water through your downspouts are:

• To make sure your container sits on a stable surface that can support the full weight of a container of water
• To install a cover on your container if you have concerns about mosquitos or debris

Conclusion

Protect your basement and foundation by getting rid of standing water before it becomes a problem. These three simple tips help you head water damage off at the pass, and keep your property looking great at the same time.

Concerned about standing water around your home? Call Austin’s #1 water restoration professionals for expert drainage advice today.