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Improper Grading: The Silent Culprit Behind Costly Water Damage

Water management around a property is critical for maintaining its structural integrity. When water pools around a foundation, this causes erosion, which can eventually make the property unstable. Many problems of this sort are brought on by improper sloping or grading.

What Is Improper Slope?

When the ground is properly sloped or graded, it will direct water away from the home. Some properties are on ground that is not conducive for maintaining structural integrity as the land is either flat or slopes inward toward the foundation. Many homeowners do not even notice that there is a problem until damage occurs.

How Improper Slope Causes Water Damage

Improper sloping can cause water damage in a myriad of ways. Water pooling will lead to cracks in the foundation that enable water to leak inside the home. Water also seeps inside of basements and crawl spaces and causes these areas to flood. As a result of the moisture, mold can grow indoors, making environments unhealthy. It is important that you understand that even small grading errors can lead to big problems.

Warning Signs of Improper Slope

You are not powerless to protect your home as there are signs you can look for that will let you know that you are contending with improper sloping. Some warning signs include water pooling near your foundation, damp basement walls or musty odors, cracks in walls or uneven floors, soil erosion or washed-out landscaping. Keep in mind that these signs show up gradually, so it is beneficial to detect problems early.

Solutions and Prevention

The good news is that if a problem is spotted, it can be solved. A professional will survey your property and will implement one or more solutions, depending on what your needs are. Professionals can regrade the yard and ensure the soil slopes away from the foundation at a grade of 6 inches over the first 10 feet. If there are issues with your gutters and downspouts, they will extend discharge at least 5–10 feet away from the home. If necessary, you can have French drains or swales installed to redirect water flow.

To keep problems at bay, have your property inspected once annually as this will enable you to detect drainage problems early. You must also make it your aim to clean out your gutters, especially during the fall when leaves will be prevalent.

To protect your home, you must take even the smallest sloping issues seriously and act quickly. Ignoring small problems can lead to some major disasters. To protect your home with professional dirt work in Zachary, LA, reach out to the pros at Stricklin & Porter.

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