How to Keep Water Away from Your Foundation: Proven Solutions To Protect Your Home
Learn how to keep water away from your foundation with expert tips on drainage, grading, gutters, and waterproofing. Protect your home from leaks, cracks, and costly foundation damage.
Water Is Your Foundation’s Biggest Enemy
If you’re noticing damp spots in your basement, cracks forming in your walls, or puddles near your home after a storm, you might be dealing with poor water drainage around your foundation.
It’s one of the most common (and preventable) causes of foundation problems.
At Quality Waterproofing, we’ve helped St. Louis homeowners protect their foundations for nearly 70 years. We understand how stressful it feels to worry about water damage—but with the right prevention plan, you can stop water from ever reaching your home’s foundation.
Here’s how.
Why It’s Important to Keep Water Away from the Foundation
Your foundation supports everything above it—literally. When water pools around your home, it seeps into the soil, increasing pressure on your foundation walls. This is called hydrostatic pressure, and over time, it can cause:
Cracks in basement or crawl space walls
Leaks and musty smells
Bowing or buckling foundation walls
Uneven floors or sticking doors
Keeping water away from your foundation isn’t just about avoiding puddles—it’s about preserving your home’s structure, air quality, and value.
1. Check the Grading Around Your Home
Proper grading is one of the simplest and most effective ways to keep water away from your foundation. The ground should slope away from your house, not toward it.
Aim for a 6-inch slope over the first 10 feet away from your foundation.
Fill in low spots with soil to prevent pooling.
Avoid landscaping features (like flower beds) that trap water near your home.
If your yard slopes inward or water consistently collects near the base of your home, it’s time to have your grading adjusted.
2. Maintain Gutters and Downspouts
Gutters and downspouts are your home’s first line of defense against water intrusion. When they’re clogged or poorly positioned, rainwater runs straight down the siding and collects at the foundation.
To prevent this:
Clean gutters at least twice a year (spring and fall).
Extend downspouts at least 6–10 feet away from your foundation.
Use splash blocks or drain pipes to direct runoff downhill.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends regular gutter maintenance as one of the top ways to prevent basement leaks (EPA.gov).
3. Install a Reliable Drainage System
If grading and gutters aren’t enough, a drainage system can help manage excess groundwater and surface runoff.
Types of drainage systems include:
French Drains: Perforated pipes installed below ground to carry water away from your foundation.
Channel Drains: Ideal for driveways, patios, or walkways that collect surface water.
Downspout Extensions: Simple add-ons that carry water further from the house.
Sump Pump Systems: Collect and remove water that seeps near or under your foundation.
👉 Learn more about Drainage Solutions from Quality Waterproofing.
4. Seal Foundation Cracks Early
Small cracks in your foundation might not seem serious, but they’re like open invitations for water. Over time, water widens these cracks, causing leaks and structural stress.
Foundation crack repair methods include:
Epoxy or polyurethane injections to seal cracks and prevent leaks.
Carbon fiber reinforcements to stabilize bowing walls.
👉 See how our Foundation Crack Repair Services protect homes across St. Louis.
5. Waterproof Your Basement or Crawl Space
Even with proper grading and drainage, waterproofing your foundation provides the ultimate layer of protection.
Interior Waterproofing
Interior drain tile systems collect and channel water to a sump pump.
Vapor barriers prevent moisture and mold in basements and crawl spaces.
Exterior Waterproofing
Waterproof membranes and coatings are applied directly to foundation walls.
Stops water before it ever reaches the interior.
👉 Learn about our Basement Waterproofing Services.
6. Add a Sump Pump System
A sump pump is one of the most effective tools for managing water that collects around your foundation.
Automatically removes water from basements or crawl spaces.
Helps relieve hydrostatic pressure.
Protects against flooding during storms.
For maximum protection, consider a battery backup sump pump to keep working during power outages.
7. Consider Landscaping for Drainage
Landscaping doesn’t just make your yard beautiful—it plays a big role in how water moves around your property.
Choose native plants that help absorb excess rainwater.
Avoid over-watering near the house.
Install dry creek beds or rain gardens to manage runoff naturally.
The University of Minnesota Extension recommends using plants and groundcover to reduce soil erosion and manage water runoff effectively (UMN Extension).
8. Check for Plumbing Leaks
Sometimes, the water around your foundation doesn’t come from rain—it comes from your own pipes. Check for:
Leaky outdoor spigots
Broken irrigation lines
Condensation from HVAC units draining near the foundation
Redirect or repair leaks as soon as they’re noticed.
9. Maintain Your Waterproofing System
Even the best waterproofing systems need maintenance to stay effective.
Test sump pumps regularly.
Inspect drain lines for clogs.
Check sealants and membranes for cracks or wear.
Schedule annual foundation inspections.
👉 Learn about our Quality+ Maintenance Plan for hassle-free yearly inspections and upkeep.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Ignoring small cracks – they only get worse.
🚫 Allowing downspouts to drain near your foundation.
🚫 Relying only on interior waterproofing without exterior drainage.
🚫 Over-watering plants near the home’s base.
Small maintenance steps now can prevent thousands of dollars in future repairs.
Final Thoughts: A Little Prevention Goes a Long Way
Keeping water away from your foundation isn’t complicated—but it does take consistent care.
By managing grading, gutters, drainage, and waterproofing, you’ll protect your home’s structure, air quality, and long-term value.
At Quality Waterproofing, we help homeowners take proactive steps to keep their homes dry, safe, and worry-free—no matter the weather.
