What people keep running into with water drainage
Complaints tagged water drainage, each raised by more than one person. One-off posts are not included.
11 recurring problems · 142 people · 8 forums we read
Raised more than once
Most people first.
- 52How to tell if roof flashing is installed wrongPoorly installed roof flashing relies heavily on caulk rather than proper metal integration, leaving homeowners with leaks and visually unacceptable work. Without clear industry standards to reference, it becomes difficult to dispute substandard craftsmanship and demand corrections from a roofing contractor.
- 31Is a basement wall crack structural or just cosmetic?Most small cracks result from minor concrete settling, but vertical cracks accompanied by wall bowing indicate active shifting that threatens structural integrity. Missing these signs prevents homeowners from catching foundation failures early, leaving them vulnerable to severe structural damage and costly repairs.
- 16Why is water coming up through my basement floor during heavy rain?Heavy rain creates hydrostatic pressure that forces water up from beneath the basement floor and through gaps in old foundation seams. This sudden flooding ruins subfloors and forces homeowners to replace wood with concrete and install emergency waterproofing.
- 15Why are my new gutters leaking from behind?Water overshoots the gap or leaks behind the gutter because of improper flashing, drip edge installation, or clogged foam guards, which prevents proper drainage off the roof. This runoff ultimately causes expensive water damage to the soffit that requires separate repairs.
- 6Why is rainwater missing my gutters?Gutters installed too high against the roof edge push shingles upward and cause rainwater to overshoot the trough entirely, pooling on the ground below. Fixing the issue requires lowering and repitching the gutter run so it sits flush beneath the roofline rather than pressing against the shingles.
- 5How to stop roof runoff from missing the gutter and hitting the deckWater streaming off the corner of a gabled roof often misses the gutter entirely and trickles down onto a lower deck or patio. Over time, this runoff causes leakage and water damage around the building corners.
- 4How to fill a wide gap between garage floor and drivewayStandard tube caulk is too narrow for gaps several inches wide, leaving spaces that fill with debris, grow weeds, and risk water erosion at the base. Finding a durable, cost-effective way to cap or fill this space is necessary to prevent structural damage without resorting to methods that quickly fail.
- 4How to maintain an outdoor sump pump discharge pipe in the yardOutdoor sump pump discharge lines often create swampy standing water or get blocked by yard debris and mud. Keeping the outlet clear requires extending or burying the line away from the foundation so water drains properly without turning the yard into a muddy mess.
- 4Why is water streaming down my driveway after heavy rain?Heavy rain can cause water to stream down a driveway, leading people to suspect a leak even though shutting off the main water and sprinkler lines does not stop the flow. Without knowing the source, homeowners are left unable to troubleshoot the problem or figure out how to fix related water damage by the door.
- 3Why is ice building up on my furnace exhaust?Heavy ice builds up outside on furnace exhaust pipes during winter, forcing homeowners to go out and knock it down every three to four days. It leaves people wondering whether this constant freezing is a normal amount of ice accumulation.
- 2Will concrete in the backyard crack and look bad over time?Old houses settling and blocked gutters overflowing water onto the side of the house cause concrete patios and paths to crack and require frequent filling. Homeowners worry that these cracks will make their backyard installations look bad over time.
Comes up alongside
Topics that keep appearing on the same problems — not topics with similar names.