In this beautiful summer weather, many homeowners are taking the time to tackle some landscaping projects. If this is you, it is a good idea to choose projects that not only enhance your home’s curb appeal but do double duty by helping prevent basement moisture and flooding.
Here at Zablocki Waterproofing, we love helping homeowners in Milwaukee keep their basements sound and dry. By taking the time to understand how moisture enters your home, you can choose landscaping projects that prevent basement moisture during periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt.
As you start to plan and purchase flowers, trees, plants, and tools to tackle your next yard project, check out the list below for our top landscaping tips to prevent basement flooding:
- Improve your soil grade. One of the best things you can do to prevent basement moisture is to improve the soil grade around your home’s perimeter. The soil directly around your home should slope away from the foundation at a rate of about 1 to 1.5 inches per foot of slope. This can be a DIY project or you may consider bringing in a landscaper if you have above-grade windows, drains, or pipes that you need to work around.
- Plant local. Choose plants native to your area when planning your landscape and you will reap many benefits. Native plants have deeper root systems that improve stormwater drainage and decrease soil erosion. Native plants are heartier, with a higher survival rate than non-native plants, and require fewer chemicals to eliminate pests and improve growth. Choosing native plants also promotes healthy biodiversity by providing a habitat for local bees, butterflies, and birds. For suggestions on local plants for your next landscaping project, check out a local nursery or reference the Wisconsin DNR Native Plant Nursery Guide online.
- Make friends with mulch. After making sure your perimeter soil slope grade is adequate, you may choose to top the soil with an inch or two of mulch, which can reduce soil erosion over time. Just make sure the mulch is at least 6 inches away from any siding to avoid trapping moisture against the home.
- Plant more grass. The roots of grass are great at absorbing groundwater, making it a good choice for landscapers looking to keep moisture out of their basements. Leave your grass slightly longer to maintain root strength and prevent flooding.
- Get creative with a rain garden. A rain garden is planted in a shallow trench,
allowing it to collect stormwater and runoff from downspouts in an area removed from the home’s foundation. Ask at your local nursery about flood-proof plants and native grasses perfect for building your own rain garden. - Add drainage to your driveway. Asphalt and concrete driveways that slope toward a home’s foundation can create big basement moisture problems. A gravel driveway is less likely to create this issue, but if you already have a paved driveway, consider adding drainage on either side of the pavement using channel drains, pavers, or soil grading.
If you are planning landscaping projects this summer, you won’t regret choosing improvements that help keep your home’s foundation sound and dry. If you have done any of the above projects previously, it is worth it to check in to make sure they are still working effectively to drive moisture away from your home. Wisconsin weather creates ongoing changes in the local landscape, and your yard is not immune. Tune in to where around your home water collects and get creative with your landscaping projects to solve the issue – you won’t regret it!
Here at Zablocki Waterproofing, we provide basement repair, foundation repair, basement waterproofing, and more services to homeowners in Milwaukee and surrounding communities. Looking for basement waterproofing in Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, Waukesha, Brookfield, Elm Grove, or any surrounding community? Zablocki has you covered. Give us a call to get started today.
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