How to Get Proper Drainage Around Your Home

Dayton, Ohio has its fair share of wet weather and water is an enemy of your home. As a general rule you should have a minimum of 1 inch of fall for every 1 foot of distance from your home, out to 6 feet. In other words, if you are standing 6 feet away from your home, the ground level should be 6 inches higher where it meets the house.  

This is called positive grade and allows water to flow downhill away from the foundation.  Negative grade is when the home sits lower on the lot and water can pool around the base of the home. Over the years, this negative grade allows water to collect and compact the soil. This can cause the  footer to settle with the compacting ground resulting in cracking and worse case, shifting.  

If you have low spots around your home bringing in fill dirt to promote positive drainage may be the answer. Splash blocks, pop-ups and downspouts can help channel water away as well.  In more extreme cases a french drain may be needed.