There is no shortage of basement waterproofing entities available today. These vary from sump pumps to drain tiles to basement waterproofing membranes and more. One of the lesser-discussed waterproofing options, however, is downspout extensions.
What exactly are downspout extensions, and what purpose do they serve? If you’re looking for the answers to these questions, you’ve come to the right place. This basement waterproofing company in Glenview, Illinois is going to explain below.
What Are Downspout Extensions?
Downspout extensions are essentially just pipes that attach to your existing downspouts to give them more length. They are designed to ensure that the water that flows through them empties further away from the home to prevent water from pooling around the foundation.
Downspout extensions can exist both above-ground and underground. While above-ground extensions are simpler to install, they also pose a tripping hazard. Underground extensions can’t be seen at all, and yet they still accomplish the task of funneling roof water away from the home’s foundation.
In essence, they operate in the same way, but they are installed and are presented differently. If you are looking for more information about each type, you can always reach out to your local basement waterproofing company in Glenview, Illinois.
The Benefits of Downspout Extensions
As we mentioned above, the point of downspout extensions is to prevent water from resting at the foundation of the home. The extensions push the water further out into the yard, ensuring that it doesn’t come anywhere near the foundation.
This results in several benefits, which we will discuss below.
Prevents Water from Pooling
During periods of heavy rainfall, water will sometimes pool in the area around the end of the downspout. This is because all the water on the roof is rolling to the same area. If this area exists right up against the foundation, the water will get trapped, and puddles will start to form.
Reduced Hydrostatic Pressure
Hydrostatic pressure is the scientific principle in which gravity forces water against a solid surface. When this occurs, the water applies pressure, and it slowly causes the surface to deteriorate.
This can occur when groundwater meets the foundation of a home. The more groundwater that collects around the foundations, the more cracks the foundation will incur. With that said, it’s vital for homeowners to keep foundation-adjacent groundwater to a minimum.
There are several measures that can be taken to reduce hydrostatic pressure, and installing downspout extensions is certainly one of them. By having downspout extensions installed by your basement waterproofing company in Glenview, Illinois, water will be pushed further away from your foundation, and will ultimately help reduce the number of cracks your foundation incurs over time.
A Healthier Lawn
An added benefit of downspout extensions is that they help promote a healthier lawn. Because downspout extensions push water out into the yard, they effectively provide grassroots with ample water.
You can even configure your downspout extensions underground so that water is distributed to different areas. This results in greener grass and a more pleasant-looking yard overall.
Looking for a Basement Waterproofing Company in Glenview, Illinois?
Do you often notice water pooling around the exterior of your home when it rains? If so, and if you’re ready to have downspout extensions installed by the top-rated basement waterproofing company in Glenview, Illinois, look no further than the team at ULB-DRY Waterproofing.
We have installed downspout extensions on all types of properties throughout the Glenview area over the years, and we would be happy to do the same for you. Contact us today to get started.