Keeping your foundation in good shape is essential to ensuring the safety and longevity of your property. Unfortunately, homeowners often neglect the landscaping surrounding their foundation, which can cause serious damage. Luckily, these landscaping tasks can protect your home’s structural integrity:
- Adding grass and low-lying plants near your foundation
- Using water-absorbing materials to reduce water accumulation
- Installing retaining walls to control water runoff
- Sloping soil away from your home to direct rainwater
In the event that foundation cracking and damage occur, The Crack Guys offers trusted repair solutions to correct structural issues. Consider these four landscape tricks to keep your foundation safe and your yard looking beautiful.
1. Plant Grass Or Low-Lying Plants Near Your Foundation
Planting grass or low-lying plants near your foundation can help absorb excess moisture and reduce the amount of water that pools around your house’s foundation. You should also avoid planting trees too close to your home’s foundation, as their roots can cause significant damage over time. The last thing you want is for the roots of a large tree to end up cracking your foundation.
2. Utilize Water-Absorbing Materials
Using materials such as mulch, pebbles or gravel can keep the soil around your house dry. They can also limit moisture buildup near the base of your property’s walls. Large stones like river rocks can also direct runoff from the edges of your foundation and ensure water doesn’t pool against it. Consider investing in foundation plants that absorb water, like daylilies.
3. Install Retaining Walls
If you live in a hilly area or have a large expanse of land surrounding your house, consider installing retaining walls to better control runoff from higher ground. These walls will prevent erosion and support any large trees or shrubs planted nearby by keeping them in place during storms with heavy winds and rain.
4. Grade Your Landscape Away From Your Home
Make sure that all the soil surrounding your home slopes away from the foundation so rainwater is directed away from your home instead of toward it. If you notice any pooling near the edges of your house’s walls, use dirt to level out any low spots.
Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Landscaping
The Crack Guys is here to answer a few common questions about the impact landscaping can have on your property.
Q: Can You Have Grass Right Up To Your House?
A: Having grass right against your house foundation isn’t necessarily bad, but it can pose risks if not managed properly. Grass can retain moisture, which may seep into the soil and affect your property, potentially leading to cracks or shifts. To protect your home, ensure proper drainage and consider adding a mulch or gravel barrier to keep moisture away.
Q: How Far Should Grass Be From My House?
A: Grass should be kept at least 6-12 inches away from your house to prevent moisture buildup near its base. This distance helps reduce the risk of water seeping into the soil and causing structural issues.
Q: How Can I Protect The Foundation Of A House?
A: Ensure proper drainage by keeping gutters clean and extending downspouts away from the house. Maintain consistent moisture in the soil around your home, and avoid planting large trees too close to the property. Regularly monitor for cracks and address any issues promptly.
Maintain Home Safety With The Crack Guys
Properly landscaping around your home’s foundation is essential to maintaining its integrity over time. An adequate layout prevents potential damage caused by water erosion or shifting soil conditions. The last thing you want is to call a company for an unlevel floor repair because of a foundation problem.
The Crack Guys are here to help when it comes to protecting your home and its foundation. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns about your landscaping and how it can protect your foundation.
