Grading involves leveling the ground around the home to create a slope that aids water flow. Experts recommend positive grading as it takes water away from the property. It helps to maintain the foundation of your house and structural integrity. It prevents the walls from rotting and forming mold. It also keeps away termites.
You can grade the home yourself, but the best advice is to have a grading service provider do the work. They will do an expert job and give you value for money.
To grade a house, dig the area around the foundation, then remove the loose soil and outside deposited silt. The recommended depth is six inches, but you can dig between eight to ten inches if there are outside soil deposits from the neighboring homes. Create a retaining wall to keep out unwanted soil.
Redirect water from the roof to PVC pipes and drain it away from your walls and foundation. Fill the excavated area with stones only if your drainage slopes from the foundation. The ideal filling material is a mixture of silt and clay. It is impermeable enough to divert water away while porous to drain stagnant water around the house.
