Frankenmuth

For some residents there is a history of standing water in their rear or side yards in heavy rains. For other residents this may be the first time that they have ever experienced standing water or water in their basements, etc. Every problem is different and there is no sure solution – however we have assembled best practices that may be of help. CHECK FOR PROPER SLOPE OF THE SOIL AROUND YOUR HOME One of the easiest things to do yourself is to check that the soil and landscaping around your home has the proper slope. The ground should slope away from the house at least six inches over ten feet. An easy way to check this is to obtain a nice, straight 2x4 that is ten feet long, and a carpenters level. Check the ground slope all the way around the home every three feet. Some areas with insuffiencent slope can be corrected by moving soil from the areas eight to 12 feet from your home back towards the foundation wall and smoothing it out to the property slope. In other cases, you might have to bring soil into the yard. CHECK YOUR WINDOW WELLS Over time, leaves and other organic material fall into the window wells and can clog your drainage system leading to water back ups or seepage. The simplest and most effective way to combat this is to routinely clear the debris from your window wells. You should do this at least once in the spring and once in the fall. Make sure any drainage pipes are clear and that the gravel in the well is loose to allow water to drain. You could also consider installing a window well cover. DOWNSPOUT ISSUES Downspouts or gutters can be culprits that are causing or contributing your water issues. There are five quick checks you should make of your gutters each year: 1. Debris. Clogged rain gutters and downspouts can cause water to pool and back up around your foundation. Rain gutter maintenance should be part of your spring and fall routines. Remove leaves from gutters and add leaf guards to keep debris from building up. 2. Defective Pitch. The "pitch" is what helps the water in your gutters flow to the downspouts. When the pitch is defective, it prevents water from properly flowing and causes standing water. Without maintenance, this standing water can cause support system damage, siding damage, erosion and roof damage. 3. Splash blocks or gutter extenders. When water leaves your gutters it needs a place to run. A splash block directs the water away from your home. Without a splash block or extender (or both), the water can build up around the area of your foundation. 4. Downspouts are in the wrong place. Sometimes the problem is the downspouts themselves. If you don't have enough of them or if they're in the wrong place, water can build up along the outside of your house. 5. Loose Gutters. Gutters that are not tightly fixed to the house allows water to freely flow along the roof. This can let water in the siding, doors, windows, roof and foundation. 8 RESIDENTIAL DRAINAGE 101 With the recent heavy rains, the City has received a lot of inquiries regarding what can be done to correct drainage issues. Here's a few tips to help protect your home. If you've already tried these things (and we know that some of you have), there are still some other solutions and the City can try to provide some direction. In newer subdivisions, there is often "rear lot drainage." These are private drainage systems that fall to the maintenance of adjoining property owners. Often these are not routinely cleaned out. The City suggests that neighbors pool their resources to hire a company to clean these storm drains every few years as they can get blocked with roots and debris. If you don't have a rear yard drainage system or if it seems insufficient, you and your neighbors may collaborate to have one installed. While the City can't participate in a private drainage system, we can provide some direction and advice. If you need help determining possible coordinated improvements, please contact us at 989-652-9901.

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