10 Dangers of Standing Water Around Alabama Homes

In Alabama, standing water under your home might not seem like a big deal, especially when compared to other common issues in the South like flooding or hurricanes. However, standing water in your yard can cause lasting damage and have wide-reaching effects on your property, even if it doesn’t seem like an immediate threat.

To help you better understand the dangers of standing water, we’ve put this guide together to explore how it can affect your property and what basement waterproofing experts like AFS can do to protect your home.

How Standing Water Around Your Foundation Impacts Your Home

1. Attracts Mosquitoes and Pests

Alabama’s warm and humid climate makes standing water the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes, which can reproduce in just one teaspoon of water. Larger pools of water can lead to a rapid increase in populations, bringing with them pests like roaches, termites, rodents, ants, and ticks. These pests are drawn to moist environments and can cause significant damage to your home.

2. Damages Lawns and Causes Trees to Fall

The saturated soil caused by standing water can drown your lawn and vegetation. In areas like Birmingham and Mobile, where heavy rainfall is common, excess water can weaken the root systems of trees, increasing the risk of them falling onto your home or car.

3. Causes Septic System Failures

Alabama homes that rely on septic systems can experience issues when the soil around the leach field is saturated with standing water. When this happens, your system could fail, causing sewage to back up into your home or yard, which creates both health risks and an expensive mess to clean up.

4. Contaminates Drinking Water

If your property uses well water, standing water in your yard could introduce harmful contaminants into the groundwater, endangering your drinking water supply. Even if the water doesn’t directly touch your well head, pollutants can seep through the soil into underground water systems.

5. Increases Flood Risks

In regions like Huntsville or Montgomery, where summer storms can quickly saturate the soil, standing water can increase flood risks. When your yard is already soaked, any additional rainfall has nowhere to go, making your home more susceptible to flooding.

6. Leads to Basement Water Intrusion

Eventually, outdoor water problems will become indoor water problems as water seeps through the cracks and joints of your foundation. At first, your home’s humidity will increase, and as the problem worsens, you could get puddles of standing water in your basement.

7. Worsens Air Quality and Causes Mold Growth

The already humid environment in Alabama homes means that water issues can quickly lead to mold growth. Mold spores thrive in damp areas like your basement or crawl space, and once they start, they can spread throughout your home via the air, lowering indoor air quality and causing health problems.

8. Increases Hydrostatic Pressure

As water continues to pool in your yard, the soil around your home absorbs it, creating pressure against your foundation. Known as hydrostatic pressure, this force can crack concrete foundations and push basement walls inward, potentially leading to costly repairs.

9. Causes Foundation Cracks and Settlement

Foundation problems often stem from water-related issues. Wet soil weakens the foundation, leading to cracks, tilting, and uneven settlement. In homes across Alabama, you may notice symptoms such as uneven floors, sticking doors, and windows, or cracks in walls, all of which point to foundation damage caused by excess water.

10. Leads to Structural Damage and System Failures

If standing water problems escalate into indoor flooding, the damage can be severe. Electrical systems, heating units, and wooden support beams in homes throughout Alabama cities like Mobile or Tuscaloosa are at risk. Just one inch of water inside your home can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage. In Mobile alone, $41 million in flood damage occurs annually due to water issues.

What Can You Do About Standing Water in Alabama?

waterproofed basement with interior drainage, a sump pump, and a wall vapor barrier

Water management is key to protecting your home from the damage caused by standing water and flooding. The waterproofing experts at AFS Foundation and Waterproofing Specialists help homeowners throughout Alabama with the customized implementation of water management solutions to address the property’s unique needs.

Common solutions to standing water include:

Gutters and Downspouts: Properly designed gutter systems direct rainwater away from your home’s foundation, preventing it from pooling around the base of your house.
Interior Drainage Systems: These systems capture water that leaks into your basement, directing it to a sump pump for removal before it causes damage.
Sump Pumps: These pumps automatically detect and remove water from your basement or crawl space, preventing damage before it worsens.

Trust AFS for Reliable Water Management Solutions

Standing water in your yard, around your foundation, or under your house is a serious issue that can threaten your home’s structural integrity and your family’s health. The best way to protect your Alabama home from water damage is to work with the local experts at AFS.

We offer free inspections to help identify problem areas and recommend tailored solutions. Contact us today to protect your home from standing water and create a healthier living environment for your family.

Schedule Free Inspection

Standing Water FAQs

What health risks does standing water pose?

Standing water can harbor bacteria, mold, and attract pests like mosquitoes, increasing the risk of infections and respiratory issues.

Does standing water attract termites?

Yes, termites are attracted to moist environments, and standing water can soften wood, making it more vulnerable to termite infestations.

How quickly can standing water cause damage?

Damage from standing water can begin within 24-48 hours, leading to issues like mold growth, foundation cracks, and pest infestations.

Related Resources

5 Benefits of Waterproofing Basement Walls

Wet basement walls can be fixed with a vapor barrier, learn about the benefits here!

7 Ways Heavy Rain Damages Your Basement

Heavy rainstorms can wreak major havoc on your basement. Learn the top problem signs to look for and how you can fight back.

Why Every Basement Needs a Sump Pit

The sump pit is essential for keeping your basement in good condition and safe.

Ted Dryce

Content Writer

Ted is an SEO Content Writer who has been with Groundworks since 2021. He’s covered home repair topics ranging from crawl space encapsulation to regional soil conditions. When he’s not working, Ted is performing improv comedy and working on his own creative projects.