What this covers
Yard grading reshapes the soil so surface water runs away from the house instead of toward it. The company sets a target slope, usually about six inches of fall in the first ten feet from the foundation, cuts high spots and fills low ones with compacted fill and topsoil, and works around walks, patios and buried utilities. Swales guide water between houses or across a lot to a safe outlet, and catch basins with drain pipe handle spots that cannot be sloped. Grading is finished with seed and straw or sod so the new surface holds through the first rains. Done well, it is often the first fix for a wet basement.
When to call
- Soil at the foundation that slopes toward the house or sits below the lawn around it.
- Puddles against the foundation or under a deck after rain.
- A basement that leaks after storms even though the walls have been sealed.
- Landscaping or a new patio that changed how water moves across the lot.
What to expect
- SurveyGrades are shot around the house and across the yard, and the drainage path is mapped.
- PlanThe slope, swales and any drains are laid out and marked with stakes and string.
- GradeSoil is cut, filled and compacted to the plan, with topsoil on top.
- StabilizeSeed and straw or sod are placed, and the surface is checked after the first rain.
Get a certified company
Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.
Questions people ask
How much slope is enough?
About six inches of fall in the first ten feet from the foundation is the common target, then at least two percent across the yard. Where the lot does not allow it, a swale or a drain takes over.
Can soil be raised against the siding?
No. Soil has to stay several inches below the siding, sheathing and sill, so sometimes the fix is lowering the yard beyond the foundation rather than adding soil against it.
What is a swale?
A shallow, broad depression that carries water across a lot the way a creek would, often between two houses, and drains to the street or a low area. It is grassed and mowed like the rest of the lawn.
Related: French drain installation · Basement waterproofing · Retaining walls · All foundation, basement and drainage
This page describes what the service involves. The company you hire sets the scope, the schedule and the price, and your contract is with that company. We verify credentials and collect reviews from real jobs. We do not guarantee any company's workmanship. Safety steps are general guidance. When in doubt, leave the home and call 911.