Protect your home’s foundation from moisture with a Vesivek drainage renovation

Drainage is, alongside the roof, one of the most important structures protecting your home, as it keeps ground moisture away from the building’s foundation. Ground moisture comes from groundwater, capillary rise, and rain or meltwater. Depending on the building site, the amount of water can reach up to 250,000 liters per year. Without proper drainage, moisture can rise from the foundation into other parts of the home and cause damage. A drainage renovation is therefore one of the most critical renovations your home may need, and it must be done carefully and on time. Excessive moisture stress on the foundation can manifest as cracks and discoloration in the base of the house, as well as stale indoor air—especially in the spring.

A healthy home needs a functional drainage system

To keep a property healthy and its structures long-lasting, it needs a proper drainage system. The importance of drainage to a house is like that of shoes to a person – without them, the “feet” of your home, meaning the foundation, can constantly stay wet. This, in turn, leads to weakened structures and, in the worst-case scenario, mold and indoor air quality problems.

Drainage systems age in 30–40 years

Like all structures in a property, drainage systems age. Their average lifespan is 30–40 years. Drainage became mandatory in 1999, but it wasn’t until the 2000s that people truly began to understand how crucial proper drainage is to a healthy home.

Drainage issues are often hidden

Drainage maintenance and inspections are easy to forget because the system is underground. The risk is that a malfunctioning drainage system can silently cause damage to the lower parts of a house long before any signs appear. By that time, other structures in the property may already be compromised, and renovation costs can skyrocket.

Insurance doesn’t cover It

Insurance typically does not cover damage caused by inadequate drainage. Renovating lower foundation structures is usually a major project—and one that comes out of your own pocket.

Order a free plinth condition inspection here

What is a drainage system?

A drainage system is a network of pipes that runs alongside a building’s foundation and below its bottom edge. The perforated drainage pipes collect moisture from the surrounding soil. Thanks to the sloped design of the pipe network, water flows away from the house by gravity, eventually reaching the main drainage well. However, the drainage system includes much more than just pipes. Managing soil moisture, rainwater, and meltwater requires three systems: the drainage system, the stormwater system, and stormwater sewerage. Each plays a key role in controlling external moisture. Vesivek offers expertise and products for all three of these critical systems for your home—along with roofing solutions, your home’s topmost protection.

1. Drainage system

Collects moisture from underground to prevent it from damaging the building’s structure. The system can handle up to a quarter of a million liters of water per year.

2. Rainwater sewerage

An underground system that directs rainwater and meltwater from the roof at least three meters away from the building.

3. Rainwater system

Includes gutters and downspouts—the above-ground parts of the system—that collect moisture from the roof and direct it into the rainwater sewerage system.

A modern, regulation-compliant drainage system includes the following components:

High-quality drainage pipes installed at the correct depth
Capillary gravel fill
Filter fabric
Properly installed foundation protection board (dimple board)
Sufficient frost insulation
Inspection wells for the drainage system

In addition, the following aspects must be taken care of in the yard:

Proper ground surface slopes — the yard should slope away from the foundation.
A functioning rainwater system and sewerage. In older properties without underground rainwater sewerage, rainwater should be directed at least three meters away from the building using surface channels and led, for example, into a ditch.
Rainwater must not be directed into the drainage system. This risky construction method was common in the 1970s and 1980s. It can be identified via the inspection well—only the ends of the drainage pipes should be visible there.

Symptoms of a defective drainage system

Growth, tarnish or cracks in the plinth

Ants in the house

Water in the basement, clogged drains

A musty or stale odour

Dam plate missing, wrong soil type

Incorrect yard grading

Worried about your home’s drainage system? We’re here to help.

Complete service

We provide everything you need for exterior moisture control – drainage systems, rainwater sewerage, gutters, roof safety solutions, and of course, roofing. Our experts have a comprehensive understanding and the know-how to protect your home from moisture, top to bottom.

Documented renovation

Every renovation we carry out is based on a thorough, documented condition inspection and a tailored plan. All phases of the drainage renovation are photographed and reported to the customer, giving you clear proof of the condition and quality of your drainage system.

Yes, even in winter!

Vesivek renovations and inspections run all year round – including winter. Winter is actually an excellent time for renovations. Our refined installation concept and skilled professionals ensure a smooth process – we can complete a renovation for a detached house in an average of just five days.

Local service across Finland, all year round

Our 14 service locations operate within a radius of approximately 80 km. We carry out drainage renovations from the units marked in orange on the map. Our own factories, marked in blue, are located in Pirkkala and Orimattila.

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Stages of a Vesivek drainage renovation

Vesivek renovations and inspections run year-round – even in winter. Winter is actually an excellent time for renovations. Careful planning, a highly refined installation concept, and professional installers ensure a smooth project. This way, we can complete a renovation for a detached house in an average of just five days.