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Proper grading and drainage play crucial roles in keeping your home and property dry and preventing water damage. For maximum protection, every homeowner should incorporate both elements into their landscape design. Here's what you should know about the importance of each one.

Why Do You Need Proper Grading and Drainage?

Grading arranges the soil in your yard so that it slopes away from your home. The ground should always drop a half inch for every 1 foot that you move away from the home, for at least the first 5 to 7 feet. If this isn't feasible, milder grading may be used, but not recommended - the ground should never slope towards your foundation or any other hardscaping materials.

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With the right grading and drainage in place, water will naturally run off and away from your foundation. This prevents water from pooling around the house and flooding the basement. Proper grading will also lengthen the longevity of any type of hardscaping. This is to include retaining walls and concrete, paver, or flagstone patios.

Why Is a Well-Functioning Drainage System Important?

Drainage provides a built-in channel to divert excess water away from the home. The most efficient type of drain is a PVC fastpipe daylighted drain. It is important to use fastpipe drains that daylight because of roof particles and leaves, as they will clog up any type of French drain one might install. The last thing a homeowner wants to do is to dig up a clogged French drain every couple years to clean it out.

Why Is Well-Functioning Grading On Your Hardscaping So Important?

Proper grading plays a crucial role in keeping your property's soil dry. It maintains a strong and stable foundation and prevents water damage to your landscape and surrounding area. An efficient landscape design should include grading that directs water to a drainage system to effectively move the excess moisture away from your home and provide the highest levels of protection. More important than anything is to keep the longevity of any hardscaping you might have installed. Having the proper fall to create drainage away from any of your hardscaping. This would include retaining walls, concrete and paver patios, as well as walkways. All hardscaping flat surfaces should have a minimum of 1.5 to 2% grade away from the home and patio. This will allow you to enjoy any hardscaping you've installed for years to come. Water is every patio's kryptonite! Without the proper fall/grade, the drastic thawing and freezing temperatures in Colorado's climate can ruin your investment in just a few years.

 

To explore grading and drainage solutions, contact the landscape design professionals at Slice It in Broomfield, CO. They've served homeowners in the area for over 20 years. They provide comprehensive landscaping and hardscaping services, including lawn care, patio and walkway installation, and grading and drainage design. Call (720) 263-1113 to request a quote, or visit their website to learn more about how they can maintain your property.

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