CALL (800) 299-9563
Contact Us

Blog

Close
CALL (800) 299-9563
Contact Us

5 Ways To Avoid Soil Erosion Around Your Foundation

HomeFoundation Repair5 Ways To Avoid Soil Erosion Around Your...
5 Ways To Avoid Soil Erosion Around Your Foundation

5 Ways To Avoid Soil Erosion Around Your Foundation

As a homeowner, learning how to avoid soil erosion around your foundation is a critical step. The goal is to help stave off erosion, so your home isn’t displaced, exposed to the elements, and subjected to excessive settling. Because once this happens, you’ll need to work with your local Foundation Repair experts.

That being said, let’s dive right into what you can do. The following steps aren’t complex. They are basic, and yet they can go a long way in ensuring your foundation stays strong and performs for a good long while.

#1: Harness The Power Of Plants Around Your Foundation

Plants send their roots down into the soil and provide strength to keep it in place. Landscaping isn’t just for looks on top of the ground, but the network of roots below it. They are a relatively inexpensive way to either completely halt soil erosion or dramatically slow it down.

Some easy examples from the team over at The Spruce include:

  • Creeping Junipers & Myrtle.
  • Border & Black Mondo Grass
  • Interrupted Fern & Forsythia

#2: Install An Updated & Effective Gutter System

What kind of gutters are currently installed on your home, and how effective are they? How much water can they effectively move away from your home per minute during severe weather? The ideal gutter system should be strong and able to move a lot of water swiftly away from your home.

Try to keep yours on the newer side. And, once installed, make sure to either invest in outstanding gutter guards or regularly clean them. The last thing you want is lots of water bombarding your foundation.

#3: Install Added Drainage Systems To Help

Even if your gutter systems are modern and doing their job well, you might consider reinforcing them with an added drainage system. French drains are popular because they direct water away from the house (at least 10-15 feet) and foundation.

Again, the last thing you want is standing water. Not only does it invite bugs, but it means the soil beneath is oversaturated, and erosion will inevitably occur to some degree.

#4: Have Your Soil Professionally Graded

All the soil around your foundation should be sloped downward to naturally allow rainwater to move away to local drainage systems. This process alone can help make heavy weather less of an ongoing concern.

What are you looking for? About 3-6% grades away from your foundation within the first 10-15 feet. Make sure your home is NOT positioned in a negative slope (this is quite rare, especially with newer, more suburban homes).

#5: Regularly Check Your Plumbing System

Leaks. They’re ultra-common and one of the main reasons for hundreds upon hundreds of gallons of wasted water every year in homes just like yours. Sink leaks. Toilet leaks. Leaky pipes. Leaky water tanks. And so many more.

Whether you have a concrete slab foundation or pier & beam, constant plumbing-based leaks will wreak havoc and be responsible for a degree of soil erosion if not dealt with accordingly.

Bottom Line: Easily Avoid Soil Erosion Around Your Foundation

The soil around your home should never be extremely wet or constantly being hit with water. Avoid erosion by using the power of plants, updating your gutters, using extra drainage systems when necessary, being properly graded, and checking your plumbing system regularly for leaks.

If you’re concerned that your foundation may be having some problems or erosion is becoming an issue, have a local professional come in and conduct a Thorough Foundation Inspection. Here in our part of the country (300-mile radius around Amarillo, Texas), Childers Brothers have been performing these reliably for homeowners for close to 50 years.

Should we discover the need, we have a host of proven, effective, and long-lasting solutions.

Our Proven Foundation Repair Methods

  • Helical Piers
  • Soil Stabilization
  • Basement Stabilization
  • Pier & Beam Work

Don’t hesitate. Foundation issues are not to be taken lightly. Don’t procrastinate on something as serious as erosion when your home and your investment are at stake. Left unprotected or vulnerable, your home could be severely impacted by the next major weather system. Reach out to the professionals. Contact Childers Brothers if you’re in our neck of the woods, and thanks for your time today. Stay safe!

© 2025 Childers Brothers. All rights reserved.

scroll to top

Basement Stabilization:

Do you have bowed walls, cracks, or leaks in your basement? These might be signs of foundation issues. Our basement stabilization services can help reinforce and stabilize your basement walls, preventing further damage and ensuring the safety of your home.

Pier and Beam Foundation Adjustment:

Homes with crawl spaces often have pier and beam foundations, which can shift over time due to changes in the soil. We offer professional adjustments to ensure your foundation is properly supported and leveled.

Soil Stabilization:

If your foundation is shifting due to unstable soil, we can help stabilize it using our scientifically proven soil stabilizer. This innovative solution strengthens the soil beneath your home, preventing further movement and damage.

Helical Piers:

Is your foundation sinking or settling? Our helical piers can help raise and stabilize it, ensuring lasting support. These piers are drilled deep into the ground and can be installed in any weather condition, making them a reliable solution for foundation problems.