The Importance of Yard Grading for Home Waterproofing
When it comes to home waterproofing, yard grading is one of the most crucial yet often overlooked factors. Proper yard grading plays an essential role in keeping water away from your home’s foundation, which can prevent possible water damage. In this guide, we’ll dive into why yard grading matters, how it affects waterproofing, and what you can do to ensure your yard is properly graded to protect your home.
What is Yard Grading?
This term refers to the slope or angle of your yard’s surface. Ideally, the ground around your home should slope away from the foundation to ensure water runoff flows away from your home, rather than collecting near its base. This process helps direct rainwater and melted snow away from your home, reducing the risk of damage from water pooling, freezing and flooding.
Why Yard Grading is Essential for Waterproofing
Foundation Protection
The foundation is one of the most critical components of a home. When water pools around the foundation due to poor yard grading, it can seep into cracks or weaknesses, causing basement leaks or, over time, structural damage. Water entering through the foundation can lead to mold, mildew, and rot, all of which can compromise the integrity of your home and lead to costly repairs.
Preventing Basement Flooding
Many homeowners discover basement leaks and flooding after heavy rains or during snow melt in spring. Poor yard grading increases the likelihood of basement flooding by allowing water to accumulate around the foundation. Proper grading is essential for avoiding this problem and keeping basements dry.
Health and Safety Benefits
Moisture issues in basements can create an environment where mold thrives. Mold not only causes unpleasant odors but also poses serious health risks, especially for individuals with asthma or allergies. By ensuring your yard is graded correctly, you can avoid basement moisture issues and maintain a healthier living environment.
How to Know if Your Yard Needs Regrading
A yard that slopes towards the home can be a sign of improper grading. Some other signs that may indicate your yard needs regrading include:
- Pooling water near the foundation after a rainfall
- Visible erosion in landscaped areas or patches of bare soil
- Foundation cracks that have worsened over time
Yard Grading Solutions for Effective Waterproofing
The ground should slope away from the foundation by at least 6 inches for every 10 feet. This slope ensures water flows away from the foundation, minimizing the risk of pooling.
HOW WE CAN HELP:
Installing Underground Downspout Extensions:
Downspouts play a significant role in moving water away from your home. However, without proper extensions, downspouts can dump water too close to the foundation. Our underground trench will carry the downspout runoff to an area where it will not be able to pool or recycle near your foundation wall.
French Drain
For yards with more severe grading issues where re-sloping is not possible, installing a French drain can be an effective solution. French drains capture excess water as it runs towards your foundation and directs it to a safe area.
Accu-Dry Waterproofing offers free in home estimates so if you are in need of an inspection or reassurance call us at 630-663-4598 today.