Soil erosion around a house foundation is just as much a problem for homes on flat land as it is for homes on slopes. Even though your area might not get a lot of rain annually, yet, a single storm can dump an excessive amount of rain in just a few hours, eroding the soil away from your foundation. Being prepared can help you control soil erosion. Prevention, Prevention & More Prevention is the solution!

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Gutters and Downspouts

Add gutters and downspouts to the eaves of your roof to catch rain when it falls and direct it where you want it to go. Set downspouts so that they drain the water from the roof at least 5 feet from the house for homes built on sandy or compacted soil, or at least 10 feet away from the house on soils that expand. The gutters go on the long end of the house eaves, not on the gable ends.

 

Erosion Control

One of the easiest ways to control erosion around a house foundation is by using landscaping or decorative measures that serve a dual purpose. Plant grass or another type of low-to-the-ground covers to keep the soil where you want it. Other options include landscape timbers, concrete pavers, liners, rocks or gravel. While bark looks nice against the foundation, it is not heavy enough to stay in place in a downpour.

 

French Drains

Install a French drain system around the house foundation. When your foundation extends several feet beneath the soil's surface, dig a trench, line it with gravel and place a special drain with perforations in it to pull the water away from the house. This works best for raised floor foundations with footings below ground level. Cover the drain with gravel, and then add soil over the gravel. Make certain the trench has a 3 percent to 5 percent downslope to it to allow the flow of water away from the foundation.

 

Repair the Grade

Assess the slope around the foundation. The soil should slope between 3 percent to 5 percent within 10 feet of the foundation. If it does not, add soil and a ground cover to keep it in place. If you cannot repair the grade, dig down and add a moisture barrier to the foundation, if possible. Otherwise, create a swale with a slight downslope to channel water away from the house. You can line the swale with concrete or rock. But the rock must be heavy enough so that it stays in place during those Pineapple Express downpours.

 

Monitor Drainage

Monitor drainage during a storm. If you have a grated drainage system that moves water downslope, keep the drains free of leaves and debris. The same applies to a gutter and downspout system on your roof. If the gutters and downspouts become clogged with leaves, the water can flow in places you don't want it to and cause erosion quickly in a downpour.

 

Checklist for Erosion Prevention in Your Landscape

• Undertake only one project at a time to minimize the area of soil disturbance

 

• Surround the site with hay bales, a drainage ditch, or silt-fences to catch sediment runoff

 

• Preserve existing vegetation as much as possible

 

• Cover storm sewer inlets with straw or silt fence to prevent sediment from entering

 

• Keep piles of loose soil and gravel covered with a tarp or cover crop

• Increase vegetative cover, especially on slopes and along streambanks.

• Use compost to temporarily stabilize slopes until vegetative cover is established.

• Use mulch to protect bare soil around plantings.

• Reduce amount of impermeable surfaces on your property to reduce runoff.

• Manage stormwater on site by capturing water and promoting infiltration. (For more information, consult the fact sheets on “Harvesting Water,” “Rain Gardens,” and “Green Roofs,” available online at http://www.ag.udel.edu/udbg/sl/hydrology.html.)

• Use stepping stones or permeable paving to replace turf, vegetative cover, or bare soil in areas that receive vehicle traffic or high amounts of foot traffic. (For more information, consult the fact sheet “Permeable vs. Impermeable Surfaces,” available online at http://www.ag.udel.edu/udbg/sl/hydrology.html).

• Build pathways perpendicular to slopes. If necessary, use retaining walls on hillsides susceptible to erosion (though vegetative cover is preferable).

• Incorporate wind breaks such as evergreen shrubs, fences, or walls to reduce erosion by wind.

 

SGT Structural Repairs offers drainage system solutions to solve the following problems:

• Water in Yard

• Downspout Runoff

• Water on Driveway

• Water in Basement/Crawl Space

• Water in Planter Area

• Water on Walkway

• Water on Patio/Pool Deck

• Neighbor Runoff

 

Foundation wall repair and replacement is not for a bush leaguer. In order to get it right, keep your home and family safe and minimize disruption to your life during the repair process, call the master craftsman with SGT Structural Repairs. They have been during this type of work for 30+ years, they provide qualified specialists that understand all the ins and outs of a home’s structure, materials and the environmental elements that comprise the home's setting.

 

Most foundation failures we find are due to inadequate drainage, soil conditions, sink holes, moisture, poor design or neglect. Usually by the time a homeowner calls us, they have already seen the damage worsen over time. Often we find numerous failed attempts (“band-aid” repairs) to resolve the problem, dozens of home-made jacks and patches  that have added to the overall problems.  But there is light at the end of the tunnel, even in the worst cases we have seen, there is a solution for saving your foundation and restoring your home.

 

In almost all of our foundation wall replacement jobs, the homeowners are still able to live in the home and experience minimal disruption. Don't wait until the walls begin to crumble and the floor sag the door will not close or the cracks in the walls open up, please call us now at (828) 712-6416 or Contact Us: we are the resolution for foundation wall stabilization; straightening, settlement repairs.