The short answer
Start with the Grade
The ground around your house should slope away from the foundation. Aim for a drop of at least 6 inches over the first 10 feet. If your yard is flat or slopes toward the house, add fill soil to create a gentle slope. You can rent a compactor or do it by hand, but the key is consistency.
Check the grade after heavy rain. Look for puddles that sit near the walls. If you see standing water, the soil may be compacted or the slope is wrong. Adding topsoil and reseeding can help, but avoid covering the foundation weep holes. For large grading jobs, a local landscaper or excavation pro can handle the work.
Add a Rain Garden
A rain garden is a shallow, planted depression that captures runoff from your roof or driveway. It lets water soak into the ground slowly instead of pooling. Place it at least 10 feet from your foundation and where water naturally flows. Choose native plants that tolerate both wet and dry conditions.
Dig the garden 6 to 12 inches deep and fill it with a mix of sand, compost, and native soil. A rain garden works well for small to medium storms. During heavy downpours, it may overflow, so direct the overflow away from the house. Plan for intense rain events in your area, and ensure the overflow path leads to a safe drainage point.
Use Permeable Paving
Driveways, patios, and walkways made of concrete or asphalt send water straight to the lowest point, often your foundation. Permeable paving, like porous concrete, gravel, or pavers with gaps, lets water soak into the ground below. This reduces runoff and helps recharge the soil.
If you already have solid paving, consider adding a gravel trench along the edge. Direct downspouts into a dry well or a channel that leads to your rain garden. For areas that stay soggy, a French drain can move water to a better spot. A landscaper or plumber can help with the layout.
- Gravel or crushed stone instead of solid concrete
- Porous pavers with sand or gravel in the joints
- Dry well to collect roof runoff
- French drain with a sloped pipe
- Channel drains along driveways
- Redirect downspouts at least 5 feet from the wall
Build Swales and Berms
Swales are shallow, wide ditches that carry water slowly across your yard. Berms are raised mounds of soil that redirect water around your home. Together, they move runoff to a safe area like a rain garden or a storm drain. Dig a swale on a slight downward slope, and plant grass or groundcover to hold the soil.
Make sure the swale is at least 5 feet from the foundation. Line it with gravel or stones to slow the water. If you have a low spot that floods often, a berm on the uphill side can keep water away. For complex drainage, a local excavation pro can design the slope and grade.
Maintain Gutters and Downspouts
Your landscape only helps if water gets away from the roof. Clean gutters and downspouts regularly, especially before spring storms. Extend downspouts so they discharge at least 5 feet from the house. Use flexible extensions or a buried pipe to carry water to your rain garden or a dry well.
If water overflows the gutters, it can erode the soil right next to your foundation. After a heavy rain, walk around your yard to see where water collects. If you notice water seeping into your crawlspace, act quickly and call local water damage pros for extraction and drying.
- Clean gutters in spring and fall
- Extend downspouts with flexible tubing
- Install gutter guards to reduce clogs
- Check that downspouts are not blocked
- Grade the soil under downspouts away from the house
- Consider a rain barrel but ensure overflow is directed away
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Call Now (469) 698-4610Frequently asked questions
How much slope do I need to prevent flooding?
Aim for at least 6 inches of drop over the first 10 feet from your foundation. That slope helps water flow away. Use a long level and a string to check. If you have a flat lot, you may need to add fill soil or create a swale.
Will a rain garden stop all flooding?
A rain garden handles small to moderate storms. During extreme downpours, it can overflow, so you need an overflow path. It works well with other measures like grading and permeable paving. For serious flooding, a French drain or professional grading may be needed.
What if water still gets into my home after landscaping?
If water enters your crawlspace, act quickly. Turn off electricity if safe, and move valuables. Call the pros for water extraction and drying. Also, check your insurance policy to see what is covered. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered.