If you’re like most homeowners, you probably take great pride in landscaping your yard. It’s a great way to improve the curb appeal of your home and add some extra beauty and functionality. However, it’s important to remember that when landscaping around your home’s foundation, you need to be careful not to cause any damage. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for landscaping your home’s foundation so that you can enjoy your beautiful yard without worrying about the safety of your home!
At Zablocki Waterproofing, we are experts in basement wall repair and basement waterproofing, so we know a thing or two about how to keep your home’s foundation in tip-top shape. Call us today for help with any foundation repair or basement waterproofing needs.
Here are our top tips for landscaping around your foundation:
Location, Location, Location.
Choosing the right location for your new plants and shrubs is key to protecting your home’s foundation. When you’re planning where to put your new plants and shrubs, make sure you take into account their root systems. Avoid planting them too close to your foundation, as their roots could damage the foundation or basement walls. Medium and large shrubs and trees should be planted at least 5 feet away from your home’s foundation, while smaller plants should be kept at least 3 feet away. Also, be sure to not plant shrubs too close to one another, or their root systems may be encouraged to creep farther than they normally would and could potentially interfere with your home’s foundation.
Use Mulch To Your Advantage.
Mulch is a great way to protect your foundation from the elements and keep your plants healthy. When you’re mulching around your foundation, be sure to use a layer that’s at least two inches thick. This will help prevent weeds from growing too close to your foundation and protect your plants’ roots from extreme temperatures. Be sure to avoid using mulch that’s made from treated wood, as the chemicals could leach into the soil and potentially damage your foundation. It’s also smart to keep wood mulch 6 inches away from your home’s foundation and fill in the gap with gravel. This will reduce your risk of termites.
Soil Grading is your Friend.
One of the most important things you can do to protect your foundation is to make sure the soil around your home slopes away from the foundation. Ideally, your soil should slope 6 inches for every 10 feet of space away from your home’s foundation. This will help ensure that water drains away from your foundation and doesn’t pool around it. If you don’t have proper soil grading, water could seep into your foundation and cause cracks or other damage. You should check your soil grading every few years to make sure it hasn’t changed.
Consider Alternative Waterproofing Strategies.
If you’re concerned about water damage to your foundation, you may want to consider alternative waterproofing strategies like a rain garden or rain barrel. A rain garden is a depression in your yard that’s designed to collect rainwater. This can be a great way to reduce the amount of runoff from your roof and foundation and prevent water damage. It’s also a great opportunity to plant native species that soak up rainwater and offer beauty and biodiversity to your yard. A rain barrel is a container that collects rainwater from your gutters so you can use it for watering your plants later. This is a great way to save money on your water bill while keeping water away from your home’s foundation.
Work with Zablocki Waterproofing for all your Foundation Repair Needs.
Finally, we want to remind you that Zablocki Waterproofing is your go-to foundation repair company in Milwaukee. We have years of experience repairing foundations and basement walls, so you can rest assured that your home is in good hands. We also offer a variety of foundation waterproofing services to help keep your home dry and comfortable all year round. Contact us today. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about foundation repair or basement waterproofing.
