The foundation should be constructed properly so it’s going to be sturdy for a long time. This is a project that should be done by professionals of Rockwall foundation repair because it needs the right set of skills and experience. This is because not all homeowners know how much slope or grade is needed around the foundation.
If you don’t have knowledge about this, consult with a professional. This is an important issue to tackle because if not done properly, the water runoff will be directed towards the foundation. You know what happens next; the water will penetrate the foundation and compromise its structural integrity. A slope that goes down or the surrounding ground is flat; you will have drainage problems that can worsen the situation.
Sloped Needed
One of the solutions to correct some poor drainage system is to do land grading. A poor drainage system will result to leaky basements. This is because of the slope that directs the water runoff towards the foundation. For a successful land grading, you should also know how much slope you need. The measurement of a good slope when you do a land grading is 6 inches for the first 10 feet. You can have a lesser slope just like what other professionals do but you can be on the safer side, you can have a greater slope.
The question is, how do you find the slope to know if it’s just the right measurement or not? To easily find the slope, take a string of 12 feet, string level, 2 stakes and tape measure. First, the one end of the string should be tied around the first stake. Pound the stake near the foundation. The other end of the string should be tied at the second stake, pound the stake too. Put the level between the stakes; adjust the string so you will have an exact level. Measure the distance from the second stake to the string.
Once you’re done measuring, and if the measurement is 6 inches or more you don’t need to regrade the land because the slope is already perfect. But if the measurement is less than 6 inches, you really need to regrade the land. You need to add some fill around the foundation and then tamp it down. You can check the measurement of the slope again by repeating the guidelines above.
Benefits of Maintaining the Slope
The soil near the foundation will settle overtime, this will cause the water runoff to go directly to the house instead of away from it. This will create moisture problem that compromises the integrity of the foundation. The moisture issues can also lead to increased humidity, wet foundations and mold infestation.
Remember that the larger the ratio of the slope, the more effective it is from diverting the water runoff away from the house and into the drain. This is a practical home drainage technique and will help reduce the moisture buildup.
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