If you have ever walked downstairs after a storm and found damp carpet or a thin line of water along the wall, you are not alone. Homes in Hinsdale that sit within the Salt Creek watershed can see quick, intense runoff and higher groundwater after heavy rain or snowmelt. The good news is that a few focused fixes can make a big difference. In this guide, you will learn how to tune your grading, route downspouts, manage your sump discharge, and understand when permits come into play so you can keep your basement dry and protect your home’s value. Let’s dive in.
Why basements get wet here
Salt Creek and its tributaries drain much of Hinsdale and nearby DuPage County. During summer storms and spring thaw, water can move fast across yards and streets, then linger in the soil for days. That pattern raises the risk of seepage where foundations are vulnerable.
Common drivers include settled soil that tips water toward the house, downspouts that dump at the wall, high local groundwater, aging or undersized sump pumps, and new hard surfaces that shed more runoff than before. Neighboring regrades or redirected roof flows can also change how water crosses lot lines. Knowing which issue you have helps you choose the right fix.
Fix grading first
Your first line of defense is the ground right next to your foundation. The goal is simple: keep surface water moving away from the house and prevent ponding against walls.
- Create a positive slope away from the foundation. A commonly cited model-code guideline is about 6 inches of drop within the first 10 feet from the wall. Treat this as a starting point and confirm what the Village of Hinsdale expects for your lot.
- Regrade gently and avoid creating a channel that sends concentrated flow toward a neighbor or the street. Use shallow swales to steer water toward a legal outlet like a street gutter, storm inlet, or on-site infiltration area.
- Stabilize disturbed soil with sod or mulch so the grade you build stays in place through storms.
If you only fix one thing this season, restoring that near-foundation slope is often the most cost-effective step.
Manage roof runoff
Roof water adds up fast. When gutters and downspouts concentrate it at your wall, your basement pays the price. Set up a safe path away from the house.
- Extend downspouts several feet to 10 feet or more, based on your lot and slope. The goal is to discharge where water can infiltrate or be carried to a legal storm outlet without touching your foundation.
- Consider piping downspouts to a street inlet, public storm system, driveway splash area, shallow dry swale, or a rain garden where allowed. Use pop-up emitters or buried pipe if you prefer a clean look.
- Protect outlets with rock splash pads to prevent erosion and keep flows diffuse.
- Keep gutters clean and secured. Consider guards if debris is a constant issue.
Avoid routing concentrated flows onto neighboring property or into utility strips without permission. That can create conflict and may violate local rules.
Sump pump basics and discharge rules
In areas with shallow groundwater or existing perimeter drains, the sump system is your backbone. Make sure it is reliable before the next big storm.
- Size the primary pump to match expected inflow and install a check valve to stop water from flowing back into the pit.
- Add a backup pump or battery backup to cover power outages and high-flow events.
- Route the discharge to a legal outlet. This can be your yard, a public storm connection where allowed, or an approved infiltration system. Do not discharge into the sanitary sewer unless local rules specifically allow it and you have a permit.
- Place the outlet where it will not cause nuisance icing, erosion, or water damage to neighbors. A rock splash pad or small level spreader can help.
If your sump runs constantly or you still see seepage, it may be time to evaluate the perimeter drain, cracks, or exterior waterproofing.
Consider waterproofing and interior fixes
Not every home can be regraded easily, and some have stubborn leaks. In those cases, combine surface fixes with targeted waterproofing.
- Exterior membranes and sealants reduce wall seepage and protect repaired cracks.
- Interior systems such as an interior perimeter drain feeding a sump, crack injections, and vapor barriers are useful in retrofit situations where exterior access is limited.
- If seepage persists, bring in a licensed waterproofing contractor or a geotechnical or civil engineer to assess drains, wall conditions, and groundwater behavior.
The right mix depends on your soil, foundation type, and how water reaches your basement.
Green options that help
Green infrastructure can cut the volume and speed of runoff that reaches your foundation.
- Use permeable paving for walks or portions of your driveway to let water soak in.
- Add a rain garden or shallow swale to accept downspout flow where soils allow.
- Consider rain barrels to slow and spread roof runoff during smaller storms.
These solutions often pair well with downspout extensions and can improve curb appeal while reducing peak flows.
Permits and who to call in Hinsdale
Hinsdale has adopted the DuPage County stormwater ordinance. That means county-level rules and permit thresholds guide many drainage projects inside the Village, with local departments administering reviews.
Permits are commonly required when work changes runoff patterns, connects to public storm sewers, installs infiltration systems like dry wells, adds significant impervious area, or takes place in a regulated floodplain or floodway. Routine maintenance such as cleaning gutters or repairing an existing downspout extension is typically allowed without a permit if you are not changing how water leaves your lot.
Because each site is different, confirm details before you start. A good process is:
- Call the Village of Hinsdale Public Works or Engineering, or the Building Department, to describe your plan and ask which permits apply.
- If your work affects county storm facilities or broader drainage patterns, contact the DuPage County Stormwater Management Division for guidance.
- Obtain a current property survey, ideally with elevations, for any regrading or piping that could affect neighbors or easements.
- If a permit is needed, be ready to submit a simple sketch for minor work or an engineered grading or drainage plan for larger projects. Include erosion control steps.
- If your property is within a mapped FEMA floodplain, expect additional floodplain permits and elevation documentation.
When in doubt, ask first. It saves time, money, and neighbor friction.
Neighbor relations and easements
Drainage has a way of crossing lot lines. Keep things friendly and compliant.
- Check your plat and deed for drainage or utility easements before you dig or pipe.
- Verify property lines with a survey if placement is tight.
- Notify neighbors in advance when a regrade or discharge change could alter how water flows across boundaries.
- Use written permission or Village approval if you need to reach a street inlet across a shared area.
Redirecting water onto a neighbor can create liability. Plan for legal outlets and document your approach.
A simple seasonal checklist
Use this quick list to stay ahead of storms and snowmelt.
- Spring: Clean gutters and downspouts, test the sump pump and backup, confirm the check valve works, and repair any winter-settled soil against the foundation.
- Summer: Inspect downspout extensions and outlet splash pads after big storms, clear yard drains and grates, and trim vegetation that blocks swales.
- Fall: Clean gutters again, confirm heat tape or safe discharge routing if winter icing is a risk, and cover exposed soil with mulch or sod.
- Pre-storm: Move valuables off the floor, check power to the sump, and verify that all drains and inlets are clear.
When to hire a pro
Some projects benefit from professional design or installation.
- Hire a civil engineer or licensed site contractor if your grading affects multiple neighbors or connects to public storm infrastructure. Secure permits first.
- Consult the Village and engage a licensed contractor or engineer for sump connections to storm sewers or installation of dry wells or infiltration trenches.
- Bring in a waterproofing contractor or geotechnical engineer if leaks persist after surface fixes, or if you suspect foundation or drain failures.
- If you are in a floodplain or have complex soils, work with an engineer who understands DuPage County rules and local floodplain requirements.
A short consult can prevent rework and deliver a lasting solution.
Make a plan for your property
Start with the simple wins you can do this weekend. Restore slope at the foundation, extend downspouts to a safe outlet, and test your sump system. Then, map a longer plan for green infrastructure or engineered fixes if your site needs it. Most importantly, confirm permit steps with the Village of Hinsdale and DuPage County before you dig or connect to public systems.
If you are planning a sale or a long-term hold, tackling drainage now protects both your comfort and your resale value. If you want local guidance on which updates matter most for buyers in DuPage County, reach out. Get your free home valuation or see off-market listings with Unknown Company.
FAQs
Do Hinsdale homeowners need a permit to regrade a yard?
- Often yes if the work alters how water flows off your lot or affects public storm systems; confirm requirements with the Village of Hinsdale before starting.
How far should I extend my downspouts from the house?
- Aim to discharge several feet to 10 or more feet away to a safe, legal outlet that avoids the foundation and neighbor property; the exact distance depends on your lot slope.
Can I connect my sump pump to the sanitary sewer in Hinsdale?
- Many municipalities prohibit this because it overloads sanitary systems; check local rules and permitting, and plan for a yard or storm system discharge instead.
Will a dry well solve my basement seepage?
- It can help where soils infiltrate well and the system is properly sized and permitted, but it will not work where groundwater is high or soils are heavy clay.
What is the recommended grade next to my foundation?
- A commonly cited model-code guideline is about 6 inches of drop within the first 10 feet; verify the exact standard the Village of Hinsdale enforces for your lot.
Who should I contact about drainage permits in Hinsdale?
- Start with the Village of Hinsdale Public Works or Engineering and the Building Department; contact DuPage County Stormwater Management if your project affects county facilities or broader drainage patterns.
