When it comes to landscaping to divert water from the house, gravel is an excellent option. It is vital to note the benefit of rocks around the house for drainage. Ensure the gravel bed does not slope towards the foundation.
Drainage: Loam soil provides excellent drainage capabilities, allowing excess water to move away from the foundation. This helps prevent water accumulation around the base of your home, reducing the risk of water-related damage.
Yes, gravel is excellent for drainage. It allows water to flow through easily due to its larger particle size and porous nature. Here are a few reasons why gravel is a good choice for drainage:
What are the benefits of using gravel on the side of a house? Excellent drainage. Low maintenance. Versatile applications. Erosion control. Creates a barrier, diverting rain and moisture away from the foundation. Acts as an effective drainage system.
Pea gravel is one of the best materials for landscape drainage because its small size allows for outstanding drainage. These rocks are only about ¾ inches in size. Pea gravel is available in a variety of shades, including brown, grey, blue, and red, making it a good choice for a number of different landscapes.
Gravel can help if it is part of a coordinated strategy for drainage around the house. Placing gravel against the foundation could work if the water is piped away from the house at the bottom of the gravel bed. Otherwise it can conduct water TO the foundation, which is what you DON'T want.
In the example diagram shown, a 12×14 shed foundation, the square footage is 168. Next, multiply the square footage by the depth of gravel. If we use 6” of gravel, or 0.5 feet, our cubic footage is calculated as 168 x 0.5 = 84 cubic feet. Divide the number of cubic feet by 27 to find the number of cubic yards needed.
Erosion prevention: If you're concerned about erosion, river rock is a great choice, as it prevents soil from moving. In fact, it can stay in place on even steep slopes and hills with no problem. Cost-effective: Because of its longevity, there's no upkeep, which means rocks are more cost-effective than mulch.
In general, you want to aim for ½ inch to 1-inch gravel for drainage. Areas that will see especially heavy flow may need larger gravel. Or, projects without drainage pipes may also need larger gravel. For example, a French drain without perforated pipe needs 1 ½ inch gravel.
If you have drainage issues on your property, rock is a great mulch choice, allowing water to drain quickly. If you have open bed areas without plants, rock is an easy, no maintenance option. Rocks are great for high-traffic areas, where pedestrians tend to take short cuts.
Gravel Paths: Gravel paths are not only attractive but also functional in improving drainage. By creating walkways made of gravel, you allow water to percolate into the soil, reducing surface runoff. These paths are especially useful in areas that receive a lot of rainfall or where puddles tend to form.
It kind of depends on the type of rock or mulch, how thick you lay it on, etc. But, weeds can come up through either. Rock is more expensive but is basically permanent; mulch, you have to redo every year or so. Depending on where you live, you might end up with more bugs, if you have mulch.
Gravel: Gravel promotes drainage and prevents water from pooling near the structure of your home. We recommend using coarse gravel that encourages drainage and can be installed by applying an even layer that creates a sloped surface, drawing moisture away from the foundation.
Improve Soil Grading
This area collects precipitation, causing water pooling next to house, and water seepage. Add dense soil to the dip to address this and create proper foundation drainage. Ensure the yard grading slopes at least six inches every 10 feet to divert water away from the foundation effectively.
Pea Gravel: The Ideal Choice. Pea Gravel's reputation as the best option for drainage stems from its unique properties. These small, rounded stones have high permeability, allowing water to flow through easily and preventing accumulation.
As a general guide, one ton of gravel typically covers approximately: 100 square feet at a 2-inch depth. 80 square feet at a 3-inch depth. 60 square feet at a 4-inch depth.
Best Gravel for Drainage Around Your House: Crushed stone is often recommended for its reliable drainage capabilities and stability, preventing water accumulation against your home's foundation.
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.
While the tiny rocks in gravel can't absorb water, they can do a heck of a job at allowing water to seep through. This is because it has high hydraulic conductivity, which enables water to move through the pore spaces of gravel easily.
Gutters and downspouts work together to keep excess water away from your foundation. Water is directed through the gutters and into the downspouts where they will be drained at ground level. With the help of downspout extensions, this water can be drained at least 10 feet away from the foundation.