If you’ve noticed water pooling near your foundation or seeping into your basement or crawl space, you may need to regrade your yard to promote runoff away from your home. Soil can shift over time, leading to water damage, crawl space flooding, and other challenges. Here’s how to proactively improve your yard’s drainage.
Benefits of Proper Yard Grading
Neglecting home maintenance can allow drainage issues to develop. For example, clogged gutters will eventually overflow, eroding the soil around your house. Sometimes, the problem originates farther away, where rain runoff erodes a path toward your house.
Grading a yard means adjusting the land’s slope to control water flow. Directing water away from your house offers several advantages.
- Keeps pests away: Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects. Eliminating these stagnant water sources will reduce pest infestations.
- Prevents muddy ground: Proper drainage prevents the ground around your house from turning to mud, which can be an unsightly nuisance.
- Supports healthy vegetation: Grass and other plants will drown if your yard constantly floods. Grading your yard allows your lawn and garden to thrive without getting waterlogged.
- Controls ice buildup: In colder climates, proper grading eliminates ice buildup, reducing the risk of slips and falls.
Steps to Grade Your Yard for Drainage
Yard grading is crucial for preventing water damage, mold growth, pest infestations, and other issues. Here’s a brief guide to grading your yard for optimal drainage.
1. Assess the Current Grade
Evaluate the existing slope by tying a string between two stakes – one near your house and one farther away. Use a level to ensure it’s straight. Measure the distance from the ground to the string at both stakes. The ground should slope away from the house at least an inch per foot for the first five to 10 fee
2. Plan the Grading
Determine how much soil you should add or remove to create a gentle slope away from your house. Mark the areas where you need to adjust.
3. Remove Obstructions
Clearing the area of rocks, plants, and debris will make it easier to grade the soil evenly.
4. Add or Remove Soil
After creating the desired slope, use a rake to spread the soil evenly for a smooth transition. The slope should be gradual, with no sudden drops or rises. Tamp down the dirt to prevent future settling.
5. Extend Your Downspouts
Regrading your yard isn’t always enough to safeguard your property from the expense and heartache of water damage. Downspout extensions facilitate downhill drainage of roof water, redirecting the runoff to a suitable point away from your house.
6. Maintain Your Yard
Plant grass, shrubs, or other vegetation to hold the soil in place and beautify your yard. Regularly inspect for signs of erosion and other red flags. Clean gutters and downspouts, promptly addressing problems to maintain proper drainage.
Request Your Customized Consultation Today
Properly grading your yard is essential for protecting your home’s foundation and preventing water damage. By following these steps, you can ensure water flows away from your house, keeping your home safe and dry.
At Crawl Space Ninja, we specialize in yard grading and drainage solutions. Contact us today to learn how we can help you achieve a well-graded yard and a protected foundation.