Tips to Prevent Soil Erosion

Soil erosion can be havoc for a house foundation. When there is a no protective topsoil layer, the ground near the foundation could have problems to hold moisture and it will make the soil to expand and contract more. Preventing soil erosion means preventing foundation problems and potential repair. Here are a few tips to prevent soil erosion.

Check Gutter and Downspouts

Water running on the sides of the home can be a concerning issue and must be addressed soon. Apart from making foundation problems, it also makes threats of mold, pest infestation or wood rot. To prevent these issues you should check the gutters periodically especially in spring and winter. Leaves, sticks, other debris from trees must be removed from the gutters and downspouts. If downspouts are clogged, water will not flow off the house and will cause foundation problems.

The Right Grading

Grading is the level of ground and the house foundation. This determines the direction of the water flow. As a thumb rule, the soil should have 3-6% away from the foundation especially for the first 10 feet. It helps in the right water movement. Sudden drop in ground elevation makes rapid water flow and causes soil erosion. Therefore, there should be soil nails to hold on or stabilize the water flow.

Retaining Wall Installation

To prevent soil erosion retaining wall installation is a great way. The retaining wall gives added support to soil and prevents from moving to the downhill. It helps in preventing soil erosion because of heavy rainfall.

Landscaping

Planning the landscape strategically will help in preventing soil erosion. Plant trees, bushes and grasses to behold the topsoil. If the area is not suitable for planting you can place rocks, mulches and gravel to cover the patches.

Planting too close to the home will allow the roots to enter the home causing foundation damage. Planting far away from the house will prevent the roots to hold and regulate the moisture level.

Stepped Terrace

A mini retaining wall installation at a regular distance will help in soil erosion. After this installation, the ground is leveled at every successive layer and it creates stepped terraces. This is not a DIY job, to take care of your foundation this way, you need professionals.

Nets, Piles & Mesh

In some extreme cases, the soil may be covered by protective covers like nets, piles or meshes. This approach is suitable for the places with steep gradient especially for retaining walls, where the soil is very loose etc.

When there are foundation problems in your home, you must call Ram Jack by American Leveling. We will help you with foundation repair in Norman, OK.