Why Foundation Drainage Matters in Henry County
Georgia's Cecil red clay is classified as well-drained by the USDA, but that classification refers to how water behaves once it moves through the soil profile. The problem in Henry County is that movement is very slow. Cecil clay has low hydraulic conductivity. During heavy Georgia summer rain events, water saturates the ground, builds up against foundation walls, and exerts hydrostatic pressure that drives moisture through concrete, block, and any gap in the foundation envelope.
New construction homes in McDonough are particularly vulnerable. When the water table is high after heavy rainfall, improper backfill and inadequate original drainage allows water to accumulate in the soil surrounding the foundation. Without drainage to intercept it, that water eventually works its way inside.
Foundation drainage systems lower the water table around the structure by capturing water before it builds pressure and routing it away to a safe outlet.
Foundation Drainage Systems We Install
The most effective long-term solution. We excavate to footing depth along the affected foundation walls, install drain tile or perforated pipe in clean crushed stone wrapped in filter fabric, and route collected water away from the structure. Exterior drainage addresses the water before it reaches the wall.
For finished basements or when exterior excavation is impractical, an interior perimeter drain is installed along the inside of the foundation walls at the floor. Water that enters through the wall is captured and routed to a sump pit for removal. Interior installs in Henry County typically run $40 to $55 per linear foot.
Drainage tile installed in crawl spaces to collect water that enters through foundation vents or walls. Combined with a vapor barrier, crawl space drainage keeps Georgia humidity and groundwater from causing structural damage or mold in the crawl space.
Gutters that discharge too close to the foundation contribute directly to foundation moisture problems. We extend downspouts to discharge water at least 6 feet from the foundation, eliminating one of the most common and easily corrected drainage problems in McDonough homes.
Signs Your Foundation Needs Drainage
- Water in the basement or crawl space after heavy rain
- Efflorescence (white mineral deposits) on foundation walls
- Musty odor in basement or crawl space
- Cracks in foundation walls with water staining
- Soil pulling away from foundation (dry periods) or pushing in (wet periods)
- Gutters discharging against or near the foundation wall