Landscaping Tips for a Dry Basement

Living in Utah we know that there’s no controlling Mother Nature. Because we do live in a desert we love the moisture Spring weather brings us. While our yards and water supply need the moisture, there are also potential problems like wet basements. Some of these risks can be reduced with proper landscaping. Here are some tips that can help prevent flooding.

Make sure water flows AWAY from your house
Water flows downhill, so if your home does not have a proper grade to lead water away from the house it will cause puddles to form around the foundation. If there are areas where water is pooling near the foundation and adjusting the slope of your yard is not an option, you may need to look at installing channels or adding berms to redirect the water in those areas.

Install gutters and downspouts properly
It’s important to make sure any water coming off the roof drains properly. If your house does not already have rain gutters, install them right away. Downspouts need to extend 4 – 6 feet away from the house to ensure water is directed away from the foundation.

Add rocks and gravel.
Rocks and gravel can be placed along the foundation to reduce moisture retention. Do not place mulch next to your foundation as this will keep the area around your foundation moist. Rocks and gravel can be a nice landscaping element while reducing your risk of a wet basement.

Do not plant bushes and shrubs next to the foundation.
Bushes and shrubs can prevent proper evaporation of moisture along the foundation. Place plants that need less water next to the foundation. Don’t plant shrubs within 5 feet of the foundation and make sure all trees are at least 25 feet from the house as well.

While these landscaping tips can reduce your risk of water seeping into your basement, they are by no means fail-proof. If you find that you have a wet basement it is important to bring in experts to repair the problem areas as soon as possible in order to prevent more expensive foundation issues down the road. Give us a call to schedule a free estimate from one of our foundation specialists.