Clean your gutters…

Look how proud this guy is of his clean gutters. If gutters get stopped up then the water is going to overflow and go right in next to your foundation. Keep them clean!

Splash blocks….

Check the gutter downspouts…where’s the water going? Hope it’s not like this one.

A simple splash block will at least get water a few feet away from the foundation. If you yard is sloped correctly it will take it the rest of the way.

Want extra insurance? Here are a few ways to divert water even further away from your home..

This device unrolls when it rains and moves the water well away from your foundation. Just make sure you roll it back up before you mow.

If you are willing to do the work and want the premium solution then check out this “pop up” PVC pipe system. The green end that you see below has a lid that pops up when it rains to let the water out. When the rain stops the lid goes back down so that it’s not in the way when mowing.

Check your yard slope near the foundation….

Look at a 10 foot perimeter around your foundation.

Make sure that the perimeter has at least 6 inches slope from where the dirt meets the foundation to the outside edge of the perimeter.

Remember that shrubs and landscape beds around the home can hide slope issues. Add dirt to fix these problems when possible. If the foundation height makes this impossible then you may need to look at a French drain or other similar remedies.