Landscaping is usually approached as a way to improve curb appeal, create outdoor living space, or make a yard easier to maintain. But the way a property is landscaped can also influence how water moves around the home.
When rainwater consistently collects near a foundation, it can increase the amount of moisture pressing against basement walls and eventually contribute to dampness, seepage, and other water-related problems. A few thoughtful landscaping decisions can help encourage water to move away from the house rather than toward it.
Here are some of the most important areas homeowners should consider.
Pay Attention to the Slope Around the House
One of the simplest ways to protect a foundation is to make sure the surrounding ground directs water away from it.
Over time, soil can settle around a home. Garden beds may also be added or changed without much thought about drainage. Eventually, low areas can form where rainwater collects directly alongside the foundation.
Walk around the property during or shortly after a heavy rain. Water should generally be moving away from the house rather than forming puddles near basement walls.
Correcting minor grading problems may simply require adding and properly compacting soil. More significant drainage issues may require professional grading or another drainage solution.
Be Careful With Raised Garden Beds
Flower beds can dramatically improve the appearance of a home, but homeowners should be careful when creating raised beds immediately against the foundation.
Adding large amounts of soil or mulch can alter how water drains. In some situations, the new grade may even slope toward the home.
Garden beds should be designed so water can drain away naturally. It is also important not to pile soil, mulch, or other landscaping materials excessively high against siding or foundation components.
The goal is to create attractive landscaping without accidentally creating a reservoir for rainwater beside the house.
Extend Downspouts Away From the Foundation
Roof drainage has a major impact on the amount of water reaching the ground around a home.
A roof can collect a tremendous amount of rainwater during a storm. Gutters then direct that water toward downspouts. If a downspout ends only a few inches from the foundation, much of that water is being concentrated in exactly the wrong place.
Downspout extensions can help discharge roof runoff farther into the yard where it can safely disperse.
Homeowners should periodically check extensions to make sure they have not become disconnected, crushed, clogged, or repositioned during lawn maintenance.
Think About Where Hardscaping Sends Water
Patios, sidewalks, driveways, and other hard surfaces do not absorb water like soil does.
That means their slope becomes particularly important.
A walkway that pitches toward the house may channel rainwater directly against the foundation. The same problem can occur when patios settle over time.
After a storm, look for water running across hardscaped areas and note where it ends up. Standing water between a patio and the house can be a sign that drainage needs attention.
In some cases, regrading or repairing the surface may solve the problem. Other situations may benefit from channel drains or another dedicated drainage system.
Keep Gutters Clear
Although gutters are technically part of the house rather than the landscape, they work together with the property’s drainage system.
Leaves, twigs, and debris can prevent gutters from moving water effectively. When gutters overflow, water may fall directly beside the foundation instead of reaching the downspouts.
Homes surrounded by mature trees may need gutters checked several times throughout the year, particularly after leaves fall or severe storms pass through.
Cleaning gutters and checking that they remain properly pitched can help prevent unnecessary water accumulation near the home.
Don’t Assume Plants Will Solve a Drainage Problem
Plants can absorb some moisture, but landscaping should not be used as a substitute for correcting a significant drainage issue.
A persistently soggy area beside the foundation may indicate grading problems, concentrated roof runoff, poor soil drainage, or another underlying issue.
Moisture-loving plants may make the area look better, but they do not necessarily address why so much water is collecting there in the first place.
It is generally better to correct the source of excessive water first and then choose plants that are appropriate for the improved conditions.
Watch What Happens During Heavy Rain
Homeowners can learn a surprising amount by simply watching their property during a storm.
Look at:
- Where downspouts discharge
- Whether gutters overflow
- Where puddles develop
- How water moves across patios and walkways
- Whether soil beside the foundation becomes saturated
- Which areas remain wet long after the rain stops
These observations can help identify drainage problems that may not be obvious on a dry day.
Exterior Improvements Are Only Part of the Solution
Improving landscaping and drainage can significantly reduce the amount of water reaching a foundation, but recurring basement seepage can sometimes indicate a larger waterproofing or drainage problem.
Water can find its way into a basement through foundation cracks, joints, windows, or areas where hydrostatic pressure builds around the structure.
For Long Island homeowners experiencing repeated basement water problems despite addressing obvious exterior drainage issues, a waterproofing professional such as ACM Basement Waterproofing can evaluate where the water is coming from and determine whether additional drainage or waterproofing measures are needed.
Build Your Landscape With Water Movement in Mind
Good landscaping should do more than look attractive.
When grading, garden beds, gutters, downspouts, and hardscaping all work together, they can help move rainwater away from the home instead of allowing it to collect around the foundation.
Taking a little time to understand how water travels across your property can help protect both your landscaping investment and the home it surrounds.