What does grading really mean?

Did you know? One of the common problems found in inspected homes is improper lot grading and drainage systems. Whether you are planning to stay put, sell or buy a new property, one of the things to look for is that the perimeter around the home is graded away from the foundation wall to help direct the water from rainfall/melting snow away, to help prevent water seeping/leaking through the foundation resulting in water damage to the interior.

What does grading really mean?

The ground around your house needs to slope in such a way that storm water (rain) runoff flows away from the house rather than towards the foundation.
Improper slope can result in problems with wet basements and crawlspaces, damage to foundations and sometimes damage to siding material.
When the lot grading is flat or slopes toward the building, improvements to the grading are necessary. 

What causes changes in lot grading?

· Inappropriate landscaping work
· Erosion of garden soils by rain, often resulting from missing, leaking or overflowing gutters and downspouts.
· The compaction of backfill. Even if the backfill is well compacted, the soil close to the building may settle through the years. Although initially the finished grade had provided good drainage, this settling backfill can create an improper slope. 

Your job as a home owner? 

Check your lot grading and drainage system such as your evetroughs and downspouts on a regular basis.  Seasonal maintenance is the best way to notice changes as they occur. It is much easier and cheaper to deal with them right away, rather than to deal with their consequences.

My Tips to You

Get out there, there's a lot you can do:

• Walk around your property at least twice a year. In the spring and in the fall. Try to detect any changes to your lot grading. The rule of thumb is that the lot should slope away 1 inch every 6 feet, so if standing 6 feet away from the foundation wall, the grade should be 1 inch lower at that point.
• You may need to consider improving the grading. This often involves the addition of soil. Resodding may be needed as well. Remember that dirt cannot be piled against siding.
• Any granular or mulching materials are not considered proper solutions; water can still seep through, especially if the soil under is sloped towards the foundation - this would just hide the problem not fix it.
• Clean gutters and downspouts on a regular basis to allow for optimal water flow. Make sure that the downspouts extend at least 6 feet away from the foundation to prevent any water damages to the foundation.