When water accumulates around your home, it can lead to serious problems, including basement flooding. Grading your yard away from your house is the process of sloping the ground so that water flows away from the foundation. This can be done by digging a trench around the perimeter of your house or by building a retaining wall to hold back the soil.
Benefits of Grading Your Yard Away from Your House
- Prevents basement flooding
- Reduces soil erosion
- Improves drainage
- Protects your foundation
- Increases the value of your home
How to Grade Your Yard Away from Your House
Grading your yard away from your house is a relatively straightforward process, but it is important to do it correctly in order to avoid causing any damage to your home.
- Determine the slope of your yard. The ideal slope is 1 inch per foot, but you may need to adjust this depending on the conditions of your property.
- Dig a trench around the perimeter of your house. The trench should be at least 12 inches wide and 6 inches deep.
- Fill the trench with gravel or crushed stone.
- Compact the gravel or crushed stone using a tamper.
- Grade the soil around the trench so that it slopes away from the house.
How to Clean Basement Concrete Floor After Flood?
If your basement has flooded, it is important to clean the concrete floor as soon as possible to prevent mold and mildew growth. The first step is to remove all standing water. You can do this using a wet/dry vac or a submersible pump.
Once the water has been removed, you can start cleaning the floor. First, sweep or vacuum the floor to remove any debris. Then, mop the floor with a solution of 1 cup of bleach per gallon of water. Be sure to wear gloves and eye protection when working with bleach.
Once the floor has been cleaned, you can dry it using a fan or dehumidifier. It is important to dry the floor completely to prevent mold and mildew growth.