10 Effects of Standing Water on Kentucky Homes

10 Ways Standing Water Impacts Your Home

Kentucky receives an average of 42 to 52 inches of rainfall annually, surpassing the US national average of 38 inches. This excess moisture can cause various issues for homeowners, especially when it accumulates around the foundation. Here are the top ten ways standing water can impact your Kentucky home:

1. Increases Pest Infestations

Standing water attracts mosquitoes and other unwanted pests, such as termites, ants, roaches, and ticks. Pests often carry diseases, increasing health risks. They also damage wooden structural supports and other property features. You can prevent pest infestations by cleaning gutters and ensuring any water-filled containers are closed. Proper drainage solutions, like gutters, downspouts, and drains, are also effective. 

2. Damages Landscaping

Saturated soils and standing water can devastate lawns and surrounding landscaping, destroying grass and other vegetation. Prolonged exposure to waterlogged soil weakens tree root systems, making them vulnerable to uprooting. In severe cases, waterlogged trees can topple, causing significant damage. Preventing water accumulation through proper drainage and other waterproofing measures is essential to protecting your landscape, house, and overall property value.

3. Leads to Septic System Failure

A flooded yard causes trouble for your septic system, as the leach field relies on dry soil to disperse wastewater. When the soil becomes saturated, the system may fail, leading to sewage backup in the lowest drain of your home or bubbling up into your yard, creating significant health hazards and unpleasant odors. Preventing water accumulation in your yard helps avoid septic system issues.

4. Causes Well Water Contamination

Standing water presents similar risks to lakes or ponds, often harboring pathogens, bacteria, fertilizers, chemicals, and other contaminants. Even if it doesn’t directly reach the well, standing water can seep into the groundwater and contaminate your drinking water. Protecting your Kentucky property from standing water is crucial for safeguarding your healthy well water supply.

5. Elevates Hydrostatic Pressure 

As the ground soil surrounding your foundation becomes excessively saturated, it exerts immense pressure on the foundation. This phenomenon, called hydrostatic pressure, can cause significant structural issues, including foundation cracks and potential flooding.

Hydrostatic pressure symptoms may include bowing walls, foundation cracks, and basement or crawl space water seepage. Unmanaged hydrostatic pressure compromises the integrity of your foundation, leading to expensive repairs. Kentucky homes in high water table or heavy rainfall areas are especially prone to these issues, making drainage solutions and waterproofing critical.

6. Increases Flood Risk in Low-Lying Areas

Kentucky properties become more vulnerable to future rain events when saturated. Rainwater and runoff from subsequent storms will have nowhere to drain as saturated soil slows water absorption. This increases the likelihood of water puddling around the foundation, leading to potential structural damage. Proper water management and drainage solutions are vital for preventing foundation damage.

7. Causes Water Seepage in Basements and Crawl Spaces 

Continued outdoor water issues can cause seepage through foundation cracks and joints. Increased basement humidity or poor indoor air quality is often one of the first signs of seepage. Water intrusion often leads to structural damage, mold growth, and flooding if left unaddressed. Prevent basement or crawl space water issues by implementing proper drainage solutions.

8. Triggers Soil Erosion, Leading to Foundation Cracks and Shifts

Many Kentucky properties experience water-related foundation damage. The state’s clay-heavy expansive soil expands when saturated and shrinks when dry, causing uneven foundation shifts called differential settlement. Uneven floors, wall cracks, misaligned doors and windows, and chimneys pulling away from the house are common signs. Water management solutions prevent soil movements and costly foundation damage.

9. Causes Mold Growth, Reducing Indoor Air Quality 

Kentucky’s humid climate, especially in Louisville and Lexington, is ideal for mold growth in homes with moisture issues. Standing basement or crawl space water can lead to mold development within just 24 to 48 hours.

This mold doesn’t remain confined to one area—the air quality throughout the home can be impacted as mold spores in the air circulate upward from the ground floor. Mold is a significant health concern, leading to respiratory issues and worsening asthma and allergy symptoms. Kentucky homeowners must remove mold and manage moisture with waterproofing solutions to prevent these problems.

10. Weakens Structural Integrity

Persistent water problems cause structural damage to Kentucky homes over time. Wooden support beams can absorb moisture, weakening the overall house structure. Floors, drywall, furnaces, HVAC units, and other systems are also at high risk of damage. Standing water quickly becomes an expensive problem, with Kentucky’s high rainfall averages highlighting the importance of waterproofing solutions.

How to Address Standing Water on Your Kentucky Property

Waterproofing solutions protect your home from the harmful effects of standing water, which prevents costly damage and extensive repairs. AFS experts help Kentucky residents safeguard their homes by installing the following specialized solutions:

AFS Provides Reliable Water Management Solutions in Kentucky 

Contact Us

For Your Free Inspection

* All fields are required.

• First Name*
• Last Name*
• Email*
• Street Address*
• Zip Code*
• Phone*
• Comments
• Update me with text/SMS

By clicking submit, you agree to receive marketing and informational calls and texts, including autodialed or prerecorded calls/texts, to the telephone numbers that you provide, including any mobile telephone number, from or on behalf of AFS Foundation and Waterproofing Specialists. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Message and frequency vary. Message and data rates may apply. Text HELP for help and STOP to unsubscribe. For more information, visit Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

Δ

Waterproofing FAQs

How Does Groundwater Get in My Basement?

Many homeowners get confused when they see standing water in their basement, especially after there hasn’t been a lot of rain. If you check your pipes, your washing machine, and other sources of water but there are no leaks, it’s possible that the water is coming in from the outside. 

Your basement is partially underground, meaning that it’s surrounded by soil. As much as we would like it to be, that soil that surrounds your foundation isn’t dry, meaning that your basement has to constantly combat moisture. 

• Hydrostatic Pressure  

Hydrostatic pressure refers to the accumulation of groundwater against your basement wall. Properties surrounded by expansive soils are the ones most likely to experience hydrostatic pressure since clay soils are excellent at retaining water. If the soil was sandy, the water would simply drain away. 

The weight of the water causes your basement wall to bow inward. Eventually, when enough weight is up against the wall, cracks will begin to appear on the concrete as it weakens under the pressure of the water. These cracks make it easy for the water to simply seep through the wall and into your basement. A clear sign of hydrostatic pressure is bowing walls and water coming from where the wall and floor meet.  

• Rising Water Table 

The water table is an invisible line that indicates where the zone of saturation begins. The zone of saturation is the area underground where the soil is perpetually saturated with groundwater. Water tables are as deep into the ground as you may think. Sometimes, basements will be built just above the water table. 

If your basement floods only during the rainiest times of the year, it’s possible that groundwater is getting in due to the rising water table. As water drains down from the topsoil to the zone of saturation, it accumulates underground until there is enough to cover your basement. If there are any cracks in your foundation, the water will get through. 

Why is Standing Water in My Gutters a Problem?

Your gutters are meant to channel water from your roof, down the downspout, and out and away from your home. If you have standing water in your gutters, this means they are not functioning as they should. If you find that water is pooling in your gutters, you should check for blockages. If there are no blockages, then you should contact one of our technicians to come assess your gutter slope.

How can I tell if I have a high water table on my property?

Signs of a high water table include persistent wet spots in your yard, water seeping into your basement or crawl space, and foundation cracks. A professional assessment can provide an accurate measurement and confirmation.

Shaye Glisson

Shaye is an SEO Content Writer for Groundworks with over twelve years of experience creating helpful content across various industries, including home services and retail. She is a Gulf Coast native and writes from her firsthand knowledge of the area's hurricane and flood impacts on the local community. In her free time, Shaye enjoys exploring the local food and music scenes.

Related Resources

Water Seepage: What It Is and What to Do About It

Learn all about water seepage, what causes it, repair options, and which steps you can take to help prevent water from seeping through a foundation wall.

Mike Rowe Learns Basement Waterproofing

Episode 3: Mike Rowe Learns Basement Waterproofing Join Mike Rowe as he teams up with Groundworks for another enlightening episode of #GoBelowWithRowe! ?In this latest episode, we explore the critical world of basement waterproofing, shedding light on the challenges homeowners face with water intrusion. With no scripts and no retakes, Mike dives into the vital work […]

5 Benefits of Waterproofing Basement Walls

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