Basement Waterproofing and Rain Barrel Problems – Warren, MI
If you’re looking for a great and easy way to save money on your utility bills, consider capturing rainwater. The runoff from your roof can be used for watering your garden and lawn. It can also be used for washing your car and other household cleaning items.
In order to capture a good amount of water, you will need to invest in rain barrels. However, there are several factors to consider when you install these barrels. At the top of your list should be the effect that these barrels will have on your foundation.
If you’re not careful about how these barrels are installed, they can end up costing you much more than they actually save you. The following are three major problems with rain barrels and how they can affect your foundation:
1. Not Enough Storage
If you’ve decided to install rain water barrels, you’ve probably noticed a lot of water gushing out of your downspout when it rains. Installing water barrels can help you capture this free resource. However, your rain barrels may be inadequate to capture the large volume of water from the downspouts.
Where does the water that isn’t captured go? The barrels overflow, and the water is dumped at the foundation of your home. This will cause a problem for your basement waterproofing by increasing hydrostatic pressure on your foundation walls.
2. Too Much Water To Use
When it rains, you’ll probably be rejoicing at having captured a free resource that you can use over time. The only drawback is that the water has to be used before the next rain storm. If the water isn’t used by then, the barrels are likely to overflow and dump water at the foundation causing a problem.
3. The weight of water
You may be excited at the prospect of capturing a lot of rain water and invest in several barrels to store rainwater in. However, when these barrels are full, they will exert pressure on the ground below them as a result of the gallons of water they are carrying. Since these barrels are installed right next to the foundation, they are likely to cause an increase in soil pressure against the foundation walls. This will cause a basement waterproofing problem and walls are likely to bow inward.
If you’re planning to have rainwater barrels installed, you may want to consult with your basement waterproofing contractor for advice on how to protect your foundation.
Jeff’s passion for basement waterproofing can be traced back to his early days at Everdry Waterproofing. He spent significant time working in every department not only to learn and improve but to help those who worked with him advance both personally and professionally.
Jeff has worked in the Waterproofing industry for 35 years, gaining experience in marketing, sales, service, and installations. As a seasoned basement waterproofing professional, he is passionate about advancing his knowledge in waterproofing and developing his team. In addition to basement waterproofing, he is also a board member for a non profit that educates and protects consumers against unethical business practices. Outside of the office, Jeff enjoys travel, music, and time with his wife of 36 years and his two sons.
Curious about the brains behind the great content here? It’s me, Jeff Schleuning, with 35+ years of expertise in the basement waterproofing industry and a rich history of owning a Basement Waterproofing franchise in Michigan.
My journey has equipped my team and I with invaluable insights, enabling to craft content that resonates with the audience using industry-leading online tools. Incorporating tools like SEMRush, Google Keyword Planner, AI technologies like ChatGPT, Claude-2, Google Bard, and Grammarly, we ensure the content is not just engaging but also strategically aligned with market trends.
