When most people think about landscaping, they focus on aesthetics—lush lawns, blooming flowers, and decorative stonework. But there’s a critical, less glamorous aspect of landscaping that can make or break the health of your home: grading.
Improper grading can direct rainwater toward your home instead of away from it. Over time, that water can seep into the foundation, triggering structural damage, basement flooding, and mold growth. At MSI, we’ve seen firsthand how a small grading issue outside becomes a major restoration project inside.
What Is Landscaping Grading?
Grading refers to the slope of your yard and how it directs rainwater runoff. Ideally, the ground around your home should slope away from the foundation at a rate of at least 6 inches over the first 10 feet. This helps water flow away naturally rather than pooling near your home.
The Risks of Poor Grading
When water collects near your foundation, it doesn’t just sit there harmlessly. Here’s what can happen:
- Basement or crawl space flooding
Standing water puts pressure on foundation walls and often finds its way inside through cracks or porous materials. - Foundation cracking or shifting
Excess moisture can erode the soil supporting your foundation, leading to cracking, shifting, and even settlement issues. - Mold and mildew growth
Water that seeps inside creates the perfect humid environment for mold—often hidden behind walls or under flooring where it goes unnoticed. - Damage to flooring, drywall, and insulation
Once water enters your home, it quickly begins to destroy building materials and can lead to costly repairs.
Just Because You Don’t See Mold…
It’s important to note: mold doesn’t always grow right away—and it doesn’t always grow where you can see it. Many homeowners only discover mold when they notice a musty odor or experience health symptoms. That’s why it’s critical to control moisture from the outside before it ever becomes an indoor problem.
What You Can Do
If you’re unsure about the grading around your home, here are a few simple steps to take:
- Walk around your home after a heavy rain. Is water pooling near the foundation?
- Check basement walls for dampness or efflorescence (white powdery residue).
- Install or adjust downspouts and gutter extensions to direct water away.
- Regrade soil around your foundation if necessary, or consider professional drainage solutions.
How MSI Can Help
While we don’t provide landscaping services, we regularly assist homeowners who experience water damage and mold issues that stem from poor grading. Our team offers:
- Mold inspections and testing
- Water damage restoration
- water extraction and structural drying
- Professional mold remediation if damage has already occurred
By catching the issue early and understanding where the water is coming from, you can prevent a minor slope problem from becoming a major mold infestation.