Grading and Drainage

The final grades around your home have been inspected and approved for proper drainage of your lot and a drainage certification is done by our subcontracted surveyor. The local building authorities as well as our Construction Manager make inspections. Typically, the grade around your home should slope 1’ in the first 10’, tapering to a 2% slope.

Positive Drainage
It is essential that you maintain the slopes around your home to permit the water to drain away from the home as rapidly as possible. Failure to do so can result in major structural damage and will void your warranty.

During construction, it is necessary to excavate an area larger than the foundation of your home. In addition, some trenching is necessary for installation of utility lines. Although the soil is replaced and re-compacted it does not return to its original density. Some settling will occur, especially after prolonged heavy rainfall or melting of considerable amounts of snow. This can continue to occur for the first few years you are in your home, depending on the amount of precipitation that occurs and other factors.

Inspect the perimeter of your home regularly for signs of settling.

Roof Water
Do not remove the splash blocks and/or downspout extensions from under the downspouts. Keep these in place at all times, sloped so the water drains away from your home quickly.

Window Wells

• Window wells are installed to accommodate the designed grading elevation which ensures positive drainage around the house. Positive drainage is the best defense against basement leaks.
  
  
• If your home has window wells it is imperative that they be kept free of leaves and other debris which may interfere with the proper flow of water through the drain tile to the weeping tile system.
  
  
• Window wells should be higher than the finished grade level.
  
  
• Ensure that the grade around the window well is directing water away from the foundation.