Correct a Grade for Rainwater Runoff
Rainwater can be a blessing or a nightmare if the grade of your lawn does not allow for proper drainage away from your home and absorption into surrounding areas. A proper grade can also deter soil erosion, which can expose a foundation, leading to serious problems such as basement flooding. Correcting the grade and planting grass or plants that will absorb the rainwater are easy steps that can prevent major rainwater problems for years to come. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Correct a Grade for Rainwater Runoff
1. Check the outdoors. You need to know where rainwater is accumulating before you begin the process of correcting a grade for the water runoff. Are there puddles near the foundation of your home? Focus on where water collects first before beginning the process of correcting the grade of your lawn.
2. Know your soil type. There are three main types of lawn soil and several combinations of them: clay, sandy and silt, or loam. If you are having difficulty determining your soil type, you can contact your local Cooperative Extension System Offices for assistance.
3. Choose plants wisely. You want plants that will assist in the soil percolation and water absorption surrounding your home. Your local Cooperative Extension Office can also help you to determine which plants will thrive in your type of soil and location, or you can search the University of Connecticut's free database of native plants at http://www.hort.uconn.edu/fmi/xsl/search.xsl.
4. Measure the current lawn grade. The slope should descend one foot for every fifty feet away from the foundation. By using a leveler, you can determine the current grade. If there is not a descent of one to fifty ratio, you can either terrace the grade or slope the soil buildup gradually. Begin with a soil composition that will best absorb the rainwater for your region.
5. Complete the grade. Using the appropriate type of soil and plants, you can complete the correction of the grade to divert rainwater from your home. Using the back side of your rake, you can smooth the grade to remove any unneccessary stones or debris mixed into the soil and plant the grass or plants you have determined are appropriate for your soil and location.
Tags: your home, Correct Grade, Correct Grade Rainwater, Grade Rainwater, Grade Rainwater Runoff