Soil erosion around a home base is just as much a problem for residences on flat land because it’s for homes on slopes. And even though your area may not get a lot of rain every year, if you stay in California, for instance, you could still get inundated. The “Pineapple Express” — a phrase for a specific meteorological band of moisture that flows inland from the Pacific — can dump an excessive amount of rain in just a couple hours, eroding the soil from the base in mere hours. Being prepared can help you control soil erosion.

Gutters and Downspouts

Insert gutters and downspouts into the eaves of the roof to capture rain when it falls and then direct it where you want it to go. Set downspouts so that they drain the water in the roof at least 5 feet in the home for residences constructed on sandy or compacted soil, or at least 10 feet from the home on soils that expand. The gutters proceed to the long end of the home eaves, not to the gable ends.

Erosion Control

Among the easiest methods to control erosion around a home foundation is by employing Landscaping rocks Wilmington or cosmetic measures that serve a dual function. Shrub Removal estimates Phoenix, AZ Lawn Care service Bakersfield or another kind of low-to-the-ground covers to keep the soil where you intend it. Other options include landscape timbers, concrete pavers, liners, rocks or gravel. While bark looks fine against the base, it is not heavy enough to stay in place in a downpour.

French Drain It

Install a French drain system around the house foundation. When your base extends several feet beneath the soil’s surface, then dig a trench, line it with gravel and set a special drain using perforations in it to pull on the water off in the home. This works best for raised floor foundations with footings under Landscaping design San Diego level. Cover the drain using gravel, and then add soil over the gravel. Make sure the trench has a 3 percent to 5 percent downslope for it to allow the flow of water away from the base.

Repair the Grade

Assess the slope across the base. The soil should slope between 3 percent to 5 percent in 10 feet of the base. If it does not, add soil and a Landscaping design Bakersfield, CA cover to keep it in place. If you cannot repair the grade, then dig down and add a moisture barrier to this base, if at all possible. Otherwise, create a swale with a small downslope to channel water away from the home. You can line the swale with stone or concrete. However, the rock has to be heavy enough so that it remains in place during those Pineapple Express downpours.

Monitor Drainage

Monitor drainage in a storm. If you have a grated drainage system that moves water downslope, keep the drains free of leaves and debris. The exact same applies to your gutter and downspout system on your roof. If the gutters and downspouts become clogged with leaves, then the water can flow in places you don’t need it to and cause erosion fast in a downpour.