How do I stop water pooling around my house?

Water against a building causes damp, undermines foundations over time and kills plants. In most cases the source is roof water that is not being taken away properly rather than groundwater.

Safety

What you'll need

• Torch
• Spade
• Hose (optional)
• Gravel and pipe for a soakaway (optional)

Step by step

1. Watch what happens during heavy rain.It is the only way to see where the water actually comes from. Overflowing gutters, a disconnected downpipe, or run-off from a hard surface.
2. Clear and check the gutters and downpipes.Overflowing gutters dump water directly against the wall. This is the most common cause and the cheapest to fix.
3. Check where downpipes discharge.Into a drain, a gully or a soakaway — not onto the ground next to the wall. A downpipe discharging at the base of a wall causes serious damp.
4. Check the ground levels around the house.The ground should fall away from the building. Raised beds, added paving or built-up soil against a wall directs water towards it.
5. Check the damp course is not bridged.Ground, paving or planting above the damp course line lets water bypass it into the wall. It must be at least 150mm below.
6. Clear blocked gullies and drains.The small grates at the base of downpipes fill with leaves and silt. Clearing them takes minutes and often solves the whole problem.
7. Install a soakaway for persistent surface water.A gravel-filled pit some distance from the building that lets water disperse into the ground. It must be well away from foundations.
8. Get advice for anything structural or persistent.Water repeatedly against a building can undermine foundations. If simple measures do not resolve it, have it assessed properly.

Tips

• A water butt on a downpipe reduces the volume reaching the ground and gives you free water. Make sure the overflow is directed sensibly.
• Permeable surfaces — gravel rather than concrete — allow water to soak in rather than running off towards the building.
• Never direct water towards a neighbour's property. It can create real legal liability as well as a dispute.

Common mistakes

• Assuming pooling water is groundwater — It is usually roof water from blocked gutters or a badly discharging downpipe, which is far cheaper and easier to fix.
• Raising ground levels against the house — New paving or raised beds can bridge the damp course, letting water into the wall. Levels must stay well below it.
• Directing water towards a boundary — Discharging water onto a neighbour's land creates liability and a dispute. A soakaway within your own boundary is the correct solution.

Questions people ask