What kind of grading/soil type should I have around the prpoerty?
The right soil grade can prevent basement leaks before they start by directing the water flow away from or around the house. The first rule to grading is: the soil should always slope away from your home. It sounds like common sense but foundations are often set too deep in the ground during construction causing marshy ground, wet basements or flooded slabs. Many building code officials respond to this problem by requiring that the top of the foundations or slabs sit at least six inches above the highest point of the soil at any location around the house. Also the ground must fall away from the foundation at least six inches within the first 10 feet around the perimeter of the house. Remember, this is just the minimum requirement. When it comes to residential grading – the more slope the better. If you have grade problems for an existing house, you first have to look at the lot to know how to fix it. Look at the overall lot grading and the layout. Understand surface water may enter fro
