Diverting water away from your foundation requires managing both roof runoff and yard drainage. Extend downspouts at least 4 to 6 feet away from the house and ensure the surrounding ground slopes downward, dropping about 1 inch per foot for the first 5 to 10 feet.
If you're wondering what to put around the foundation of your house, here are the safest and most effective options.
Yes, rocks are highly effective at protecting your foundation. Unlike wood mulch, rocks do not retain moisture. They act as a permeable barrier, allowing water to drain quickly away from the house while preventing mud from splashing onto your siding.
To keep water away from your foundation, start with the basics: clean your gutters, extend your downspouts at least 6 feet away from your home, and ensure your yard slopes downward away from the walls. If that is not enough, install a French drain, dig an exterior swale, or apply a waterproof masonry coating.
The best materials to landscape around a foundation will inhibit weed growth, provide a proper water drainage system, and won't attract pests. With years of landscaping experience, we have determined that the four best landscaping materials around the foundation are gravel, rubber mulch, concrete, and brick masonry.
Yes, but only if the underlying soil is properly sloped away from your house. Gravel prevents mud from splashing on your siding and deters pests, but it doesn't stop water from seeping through. Simply digging a trench and filling it with gravel can create a "moat" that traps moisture against your foundation, leading to settling and water damage.
Flexible plastic or HDPE edging is generally the most affordable option. It has the lowest upfront price per metre, it's easy to install without special tools and labour costs stay close to zero because almost anyone can fit it with just stakes and a mallet.
To divert water away from your foundation, the most critical step is ensuring roof runoff and surface water flow away from the house. This is achieved by extending downspouts at least 6 to 10 feet, fixing the soil grading so it slopes downward, and building exterior drainage systems if problems persist.
Cold weather slows soil movement, making winter one of the best foundation inspection and repair times. Unlike spring and summer, when moisture and temperature changes cause shifting, winter's stability allows professionals to assess damage and implement long-lasting solutions accurately.
Yes, you can dig a hole and fill it with gravel to create a drainage system (often called a dry well or a vertical French drain). However, to ensure it works and doesn't quickly clog or fill with mud, you need to follow a few specific steps.
French drains are a low-cost option for dealing with surface water. These systems consist of a trench which houses a perforated PVC pipe. The pipe is secured in a mesh sock to keep dirt out, that is covered with gravel.
Yes, but only if it is the correct type of dirt and is sloped properly to shed water away from your home. Proper grading prevents costly foundation damage, basement flooding, and wood rot.
Best gravel for drainage around the house: Pea gravel and crushed stone are good for draining near a house's foundation. They're less ideal next to doors and walkways, though, as the small, loose stones can be easily tracked inside.
Yes, it's possible to seal a foundation on your own, but it depends on the complexity and extent of the waterproofing needed. If you're dealing with minor dampness and have some DIY skills, you might handle a few steps yourself, like applying waterproofing paint or repairing small cracks.
Putting mulch around your house is generally fine, but you must be careful how you do it. To prevent moisture damage, mold, and pest infestations (like termites), experts recommend leaving a 6 to 12-inch gap of bare ground or rock between the mulch and your home's foundation.
Yes, you can sell a home with foundation cracks, but you'll need to meet disclosure requirements. It's necessary to inform potential buyers about the issue. However, keep in mind that foundation problems might raise concerns for buyers. They might request a price reduction or ask you to fix the issues before purchase.
Water is the most common enemy of concrete surfaces. When water penetrates the surface of concrete, it can cause it to crack and weaken. This is especially true in colder climates where water can freeze and expand, creating even more damage.
A standard house foundation typically lasts between 80 and 100 years. While concrete can technically endure for centuries, its actual lifespan depends heavily on the initial construction quality, soil stability, local climate, and the level of maintenance provided over the years.
Soil Grading Around Your Home
Ideally, the ground should drop one inch for every one foot that you move away from the house for the first 5-to-10 feet around your house. While this is not always possible, the ground should never be sloping upwards as you move away from your house foundation.
For a French drain, the holes in your perforated pipe should face down (between the 5 and 7 o'clock position). This allows water that pools at the bottom of the gravel trench to easily rise up and enter the pipe through hydrostatic pressure, rather than waiting for the water level to submerge the entire pipe.
Using plastic to keep water away from your foundation involves laying heavy-duty (6 mil or thicker) polyethylene sheeting or specialized HDPE splash guard plastics under decorative rock and grading the surface so water sheds away. This creates an impermeable barrier that prevents surface rain and runoff from soaking into the soil immediately next to your home.
The most affordable option for garden edging is using plastic or rubber materials. Which edging best holds mulch in place? Wood edging is a reliable choice for keeping mulch contained without spending much. If you prefer a different look, metal edging works well too.
Common Landscaping Mistakes for Homeowners to Avoid: