Property grading
Protect your home from water damage. Grade soil and paved surfaces to direct water away from your home.
On this page
Who should take action
- Homeowners
- Landlords and property managers
- All homes with:
- poor exterior drainage, such as ground sloped toward the home and signs of water pooling around the foundation
- basements
- ground-level floors
What it is
Property grading refers to the level of the land around your home. When done properly, the ground will slope down and away from your home to direct the flow of water away from your foundation.
Benefits
This is a high impact action that's essential for effective property-level flood protection and can save you money over the long term.
Property grading can:
- create a natural barrier against floodwaters by promoting drainage away from the foundation
- prevent water from entering through openings in your home, including doors, windows, and cracks in your foundation and basement floor
- decrease erosion of the soil around your property, and wear and tear on your home's foundation
- reduce the amount of water flowing to your home's weeping tiles
What you'll need
- Soil that compacts well and promotes drainage, such as a mixture of sand, silt and clay
- Consult a local soil supplier or a landscaping professional for personalized recommendations
- Measuring tape and level
- Wheelbarrow
- Tools and materials needed to move and distribute soil
What's involved
Check with your local government about regulations such as permits or inspections required before making changes to your property's grading.
Consult a professional before making any changes to your property's grading.
- Walk around your home to look for:
- low spots in the ground
- areas where water is pooling or flowing towards your home
- Fill in the ground with soil in these areas until it is level
- Build up the ground closest to your home
- A 5% slope is ideal
- Soil beside the foundation should be approximately 8 cm (3 in.) higher than the soil 1.5 m (5 ft.) away from the foundation
- A 2% grade is often considered the minimum slope required
- Paved areas might require a different slope. Consult a professional to ensure the correct grade
- Ensure drainage swales and ditches between properties are clear and maintained
French drains can be useful if you are unable to achieve the property grading you need, or if you are experiencing drainage issues even after grading, such as water pooling. Consult a landscaping professional to discuss this option.
Ensure that your home's landscaping, including any paved areas such as patios or driveways, are designed with an appropriate slope during installation or renovation. Homes with reverse slope driveways require special attention to ensure effective flood protection.
For existing paved areas, ask a professional about options to regrade or install surface drains, as it can be a complex process.
When to do it
- Seasonal monitoring and annual maintenance is required
- Check your property's grading in the spring and fall
- Monitor for erosion, newly formed low spots, or areas where water pools and flows towards your home
- Add soil around your home's foundation, as needed
- The amount of soil and work required depends on current grading and annual upkeep
Do these tasks together
Consider property grading at the same time as adding flood-wise landscaping or additional drainage systems. This pairing will minimize disruptions and maximize flood ready improvements to your home.
Be flood ready
Flood readiness requires regular upkeep just like any other home or property maintenance task. Make monitoring and maintaining your property's grading part of your seasonal maintenance checklists.
Seek support from a local professional, friend, family or neighbour if you're unable to complete this task on your own.