how to grade around house foundation

Make sure the top of the foundation is a minimum of 8 inches above grade. In addition if you want to improve grading try adding the soil next to the foundation and slope away from the house.

Structural Systems Grading And Drainage Cliff Bell Real Estate Inspectors

These soils will keep much of the water at grade level until it has a chance to move away or toward your house.

. Measure the slope in the soil surrounding your house to determine the amount which the soil grade needs to be raised. One of the simplest things you can do to reduce the risk of water damage in your home is to make sure the soil next to your home is pitched or sloped away. Set one end of a 10-foot wood board on the ground directly next.

Slide the string up or down on the second stake until the line is level. If you must add soil from an exterior source use top soil or grading soil. Use shovels to remove any grass or plants.

This should take at least 4 of block or concrete. Place the line level in the center of the string. A house that is located at the high point of the property has a positive grade.

Before beginning the final grade remove all debris from the perimeter of the home. Foundation beds may have been sloped toward the house or the back fill placed around the foundation when the house was built may have settled and compacted over the years. This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook saves a soggy foundation.

How to Grade Around a Foundation. You will need to prepare the ground for adding the new soil. This simply means that the landscape around your home.

Measure the distance between the string on the outer stake and the ground to. Remove any debris from the perimeter of your houses foundation. See below for a shopping list and toolsSUBSCRIBE to This Old House.

Grading Around A Foundation Height Of Soil Greenbuildingadvisor