Yard Grading Explained: What You Need to Know

Crewmen regrading the land next to a home's foundation.

When it rains, does water flow away from your house or straight toward it? The answer lies in your yard grading.

Many homeowners overlook this important aspect until there is water pooling around their house, which can lead to foundation damage. Understanding yard grading and how to improve it can save you from expensive repairs and keep your home stable.

What Is Yard Grading?

Yard grading refers to the way your yard slopes to help control the flow of rainwater. If the ground slopes away from your house, water moves away, keeping your foundation safe.

If the ground slopes toward your house, water can pool around it, causing problems like flooding and damage. Proper yard grading ensures that rainwater flows away from your home, preventing these issues.

You might also see yard grading talked about in two different ways:

Positive Grading: This means the ground slopes away from your home, directing water away from the foundation.
Negative Grading: This means the ground slopes towards your home, causing water to flow toward the foundation, which can lead to water pooling and potential damage.

Signs of Poor Yard Grading

To determine if your yard has poor grading, look for these signs:

Water pooling near a foundation due to poor yard grading.

Pooling Water: Puddles of water around your home after a rainstorm are a clear indication of poor grading.
Soggy Soil: If the ground around your home constantly feels wet or spongy, it could mean water is not draining properly.
Basement Moisture: If you have a basement, wet walls or standing water are signs that your yard is not graded correctly.
Dead Grass: Patches of dead or rotting grass can indicate that water is pooling in certain areas of your yard.

How to Check Your Yard’s Grading

Looking for standing water is the most straightforward way to check for bad yard grading. But if you want a more precise answer, you can perform a simple test:

Place a stake in the ground near your home and tie a string to it at ground level.
Extend the string to another stake placed 10 feet away from the first.
Measure the distance between the string and the ground at the second stake.
Divide the distance by 100 and then move the decimal two places to the right.

For example, if the distance between the string and the ground near the second stake is 7.3 inches, your calculation will equal 0.073 (or a grade of 7.3% after moving the decimal).

Grades between 3% to 25% are usually acceptable, but always pay attention to how rainwater drains on your property. 7.3% yard grading might work better on one property than another.

How to Improve Yard Grading

Don’t worry—having a negatively graded yard isn’t the end of the world. Contact local landscaping professionals to help improve grading. Here’s how they can help:

Assessment: They will start by marking the high and low points of your yard, identifying where water is pooling.
Calculating the Slope: Next, they’ll calculate the slope between these points to understand the current grading.
Adding Soil: Using specialized equipment, they will add topsoil to the low points and level the high points, creating a positive grade that directs water away from your home.

This professional approach ensures that the job is done correctly and efficiently, helping to protect your home’s foundation from water damage.

Update Gutters to Help Control Water

Additionally, invest in better gutters and downspouts to direct roof runoff away from your home. Regular cleanings will keep your gutters clean and unobstructed.

While gutters don’t directly impact yard grading, they are an effective way to reduce the amount of water collecting near your foundation. With proper gutters alongside good yard grading, your house will stay extra dry.

Protect Your Foundation With AFS

AFS crewman posing with equipment in front of work truck.

If you are worried that your yard’s grading is causing foundation problems, contact AFS to schedule a free inspection. One of our experts will take a look at your home and suggest the best repair options for your home.

We’ve been serving homeowners in the Southeast United States since 2000, and we’re ready to tackle any challenge. Work with us for leading foundation repair solutions!

GET A FREE QUOTE

Yard Grading FAQs

How much does grading a yard cost?

Grading a yard typically costs between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on the size of the yard and the extent of the work needed. Factors like soil type, ease of access, and other drainage solutions can affect the overall cost.

Can I grade a yard by hand?

Yes, you can grade a yard by hand, but it is labor-intensive and time-consuming, especially for larger areas. With basic tools like shovels, rakes, and wheelbarrows, you can add or remove soil to create the desired slope. We recommend hiring a professional landscaping team for the most effective results.

How much grade should a yard have?

Yard grading around 5% is ideal, but grades between 3% to 25% are acceptable. The right amount for your yard depends on the climate and geography of where you live.

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Ted Dryce

Content Writer

Ted is an SEO Content Writer who has been with Groundworks since 2021. He’s covered home repair topics ranging from crawl space encapsulation to regional soil conditions. When he’s not working, Ted is performing improv comedy and working on his own creative projects.