Landscape grading is one essential element that prevents water from entering your home and ensures your landscape is appropriately watered. If your landscape grading is not done properly, storm runoff could flow toward your foundation instead of away from it. Water damage is not only an inconvenience but can be quite costly. If your foundation is damaged by water, it can threaten your home’s structural integrity. Poor drainage also leads to other issues, including soil erosion, a soggy lawn, and landscaping damage. Keep reading to learn more about the importance of landscape grading.
What Does Landscape Grading Mean?
When you excavate to improve your yard grade, you adjust the slope of the land to control the direction of the water. The goal is to direct the water away from your home and other structures on the property.
Depending on the current condition of your yard, you can use different strategies to achieve the ideal result. This process might involve adding or removing soil, building retaining walls, creating shallow ditches, or installing French drains. These features can reduce drainage issues and minimize the risk of water pooling in unwanted areas.
What Happens if Your Lawn isn’t Properly Graded?
If your property doesn’t have appropriate landscape grading, water might run toward your foundation during heavy storms. If the water soaks into the soil next to your foundation, it will cause hydrostatic pressure next to the wall. Over time, this pressure can lead to cracks in your foundation, structural damage, and soil erosion. If you don’t have the right landscape grading, it can deposit excess water in your neighbor’s yard, which never leads to anything good!
Why is Landscape Grading Essential for Proper Drainage?
What are the benefits of having my yard graded? Here are a few reasons why proper drainage is so important:
- Reducing Water Damage: Water damage can result in costly repairs and renovations. Even a little water damage can be very expensive due to the work required to repair the foundation. Make sure you are proactive about protecting your foundation and basement by having proper grading in your yard to keep the water away from your house.
- Protecting Landscaping: You have put a lot of time and money into landscaping, so it makes sense to be proactive about grading. The right slope in your yard minimizes damage to flower beds, patios, and walking pathways.
- Healthy Lawn: Playing with the kids or laying a blanket on the lawn for a summer picnic is fun. But if your lawn is waterlogged, these activities won’t be enjoyable. Proper drainage manages the amount of water in your yard, making it easier to maintain a healthier, safe, and functional lawn.
- Property Value: Proper grading, a strong foundation, and a well-maintained yard can also impact the value of your home. If you decide to sell in the future, these features can increase your asking price.
Interested in Improving Your Outdoor Living Space? Consider Landscape and Hardscaping Design Services from Carroll Landscaping
Carroll Landscaping has over 30 years of experience with landscape construction, porch construction, deck building, and hardscape installation. Our award-winning landscape designers are passionate about providing customers with top-notch service and landscape design. Our landscape designers have a creative design outlook and work as a team with our installation crews to make your vision a reality. We are committed to providing every customer with the highest quality workmanship, professional and knowledgeable service, and creativity in design in order to surpass our clients’ expectations in every aspect of the project.
We serve residents throughout the beautiful state of Maryland including Baltimore, Columbia, Ellicott City, Eldersburg, Clarksville, Sykesville, Manchester, Westminster, and Woodstock. For more information and to schedule a consultation with one of our expert designers, contact us online or give us a call at 410-922-2416.