Can Lawn Re-Grading Help Protect Your Home?

May 11, 2016

Does having a graded lawn sound like something a golf course would have and not an ordinary homeowner? Sadly, when you are looking out for your home’s budget, unexpected costs related to something like your lawn can be a real surprise. However, there are ways to dramatically improve the likelihood that you can avoid issues such as a shifting foundation by regrading your lawn. This is especially true since this area of the country gets a lot of extra precipitation. To get a better idea of how improving your lawn to help lengthen the life of your house works in the Ann Arbor MI area, keep reading. Of course, if you have any questions, be sure to give us a call today.

What is lawn re-grading?

Regrading is not a common term, and it involves a little bit of math. Basically, when your lawn is smoothed out at certain angles, it can improve the direction of rainwater drainage dramatically. This is helpful because, in the Ann Arbor MI area, water is a big part of life. Naturally, if you want to avoid flooding in your home, there are ways to address it such as installing drains and having a sump pump in your basement. Alternatively, some simple modifications to your lawn can be made that will significantly improve which direction your storm water wants to go.

What to expect from lawn re-grading

When landscaping contractors arrive at your home for lawn regrading, you can expect some soil removal. In many cases, tools are used to ensure that measurements are perfect, and it is not uncommon for rocks to be added or dense soil to be stacked on top of it. One final step is to add new turf to the area and replace the preexisting grass. In some situations, shrubs or other plants may be moved.

Benefits of lawn regrading

One of the main reasons that lawn regrading is recommended is due to a shifting foundation under the home. Unfortunately, this is a costly endeavor that can be avoided if wet soil or water are no longer pushing against the foundation of the home. When a lawn is regraded to redirect storm water, it is also an opportunity to add other forms of drainage or do minor repairs to the outside of the foundation. For instance, adding a water-resistant layer to the outside of the foundation can help seal it against water-logging and further damage that might cause severe shifting.

Can lawn regrading protect your home?

In short, the answer to any questions about regrading a lawn will have a positive outcome. For instance, one interesting way that lawn regrading benefits homeowners is by smoothing the lawn surface and making the job easier for lawnmowers. Nevertheless, outside of the visual appeal of a graded lawn, the savings involved in grading the lawn to redirect water are significant in the long-term. In other words, if you want your home to last for decades to come, a lawn regrading will be recommended at least every three to five decades.