Why Soil Erosion Around Your Foundation is a Problem
/As you're walking around the outside of your home, have you noticed that more and more of your foundation is showing where there used to be dirt? This is known as soil erosion, and it can be a big deal for the foundation of your home. Soil erosion in homes in the Niagara Region isn't uncommon, but it does need to be dealt with. Here's what you need to know about it and why it could be a problem for your home long term.
The soil around your home doesn't slope away
You might not notice it because it's so slight, but the soil around the foundation of your home is supposed to be on a slope so that water drains away from the foundation and doesn't pool around the house.
If you notice that the soil is eroding away from the foundation, it could result in moisture hanging around the foundation and not draining away like it should. This can happen when there's nothing holding the soil firm and in place.
Why soil erosion is a problem
Without the right amount of soil around the foundation of your home, you could be looking at leaking issues in the future. With water pooling around the foundation and nowhere for it to go, you may find new cracks or movement in a home that's already settled.
In general, having water and moisture that doesn't drain away from your home is a homeowner's worst nightmare.
How to prevent soil erosion around your home
There are a few things you can do to help avoid soil erosion around your Niagara region home, and most of them are fairly easy to do on your own.
Plant Shrubs - When you have plants around your home, the roots will become firmly entrenched in the ground, and that will help keep the soil in place. Small shrubs are a perfect way to avoid soil erosion, and it won't cost too much to plant them.
Install a Drainage System - Drainage systems are usually under the ground, and they help move water away from your home. You can usually tie these systems into your gutters, too, if needed so that the water can be moved a good deal of distance from the house.
Grade the Soil - If you know the soil isn't graded properly around your home, you do have the option to grade it if you want to. In general, it should be graded on a 3% - 6% slope away from the foundation. Your foundation should never be on a negative slope.
How to know if your soil is eroding
The easiest way to check for foundation soil erosion is to go outside with a level and check your lawn's slope. If the soil levels get higher as it approaches your house, you are in good shape. If your soil is level or is at a negative slope near your home, you'll want to fix this issue.
If you're prone to soil erosion, check your soil grading yearly, especially after the winter when everything has thawed. Water drainage from snowmelt and the heavy spring winds in Niagara are significant causes of soil erosion.
If your soil does not appear to be an issue, however, water is still leaking into your basement, call Foundation Fix. We operate in the St. Catharines and Niagara region of Ontario and repair leaking basement issues.
