Grading, swales, and erosion control

Normal function

Good grading is the first layer of drainage. It reduces the volume and duration of water next to the foundation and supports gutters, downspouts, and drain outlets.

What a homeowner may notice

• Ground slopes toward the home, ponding at low spots, gullies, exposed roots, sediment deposits, or eroded downspout outlets.
• Mulch/soil against siding or foundation, settled backfill, or a swale that carries water toward a neighbor.
• Water bypassing a downspout emitter because the receiving area is flat or compacted.
• Vegetation dying in the receiving area or flow channelizing.

Professional inspection

Observe the site during or after rain, check elevations with a level/laser, trace roof and surface runoff, identify low points and property lines, and inspect soil/vegetation stability. Do not solve a roof drainage problem by simply piling soil against the wall.

Repair or replacement path

Regrade with positive drainage, create a shallow swale, stabilize with vegetation/stone/matting, and pair with correctly discharged downspouts. Protect exposed soil until vegetation establishes.

Typical materials and equipment

Topsoil, seed/sod, mulch, erosion blanket, stone/riprap, edging, pipe where needed, and grading equipment.

When to act

Stabilize active erosion quickly so water does not remove soil around foundations or drainage structures.

What moves the price

Slope, soil/clay, access, roots, retaining walls, property lines, stormwater easements, restoration, and equipment.