changing the grade / slope at the foundation of our house
#1
04-18-10, 03:04 PM
changing the grade / slope at the foundation of our house
We have a space under our deck where the ground slopes towards the house. I can crawl underneath and I'll see water trapped in the slope, up against the basement crawlspace. Only on really bad rains do we get a small amount of water in the crawlspace, but I want to eliminte that.
I want the ground to slope away from the house, not slope towards it, right?
Can I use rocks to fill in some of the space then use dirt on top of that? I'll need less dirt. Does rocks (a non-porous item) matter? It's the top contour of the surface that matters, right? So water will drain away from the house , not puddle against the house? So can I use lots of rocks under there?
thanks!
I want the ground to slope away from the house, not slope towards it, right?
Can I use rocks to fill in some of the space then use dirt on top of that? I'll need less dirt. Does rocks (a non-porous item) matter? It's the top contour of the surface that matters, right? So water will drain away from the house , not puddle against the house? So can I use lots of rocks under there?
thanks!
#2
04-18-10, 04:29 PM
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I think as long as the rock and soil are evenly mixed and at a certain ratio. As in not alot of rock at all.
But dirt is so cheap. Where do you think we get the saying?
You're right in your thinking that it's the surface contour that matters. But if the fill used is so rocky or sandy that it can just as easily take in water and allow it to purculate down to the slope your filling, then why bother? The dirt must be added in managable layers and tamped or rolled between layers until you have your new grade nice and solid. Loose dirt won't shed runoff either.
Since you can't grow grass under your deck you can then use rock on top to protect it from eroding. But the rock layer doesn't count toward your grade.
Let's see what others think. This is under a deck that you have to crawl underneath?
babaganoosh - is that from "The State?" From the "I wanna dip my ____ in it." skit? LOL!
But dirt is so cheap. Where do you think we get the saying?
You're right in your thinking that it's the surface contour that matters. But if the fill used is so rocky or sandy that it can just as easily take in water and allow it to purculate down to the slope your filling, then why bother? The dirt must be added in managable layers and tamped or rolled between layers until you have your new grade nice and solid. Loose dirt won't shed runoff either.
Since you can't grow grass under your deck you can then use rock on top to protect it from eroding. But the rock layer doesn't count toward your grade.
Let's see what others think. This is under a deck that you have to crawl underneath?
babaganoosh - is that from "The State?" From the "I wanna dip my ____ in it." skit? LOL!
Last edited by mickblock; 04-18-10 at 05:05 PM. Reason: work area
#3
04-18-10, 06:31 PM
the state - never saw it. Just a mis-spelling on a an interesting sounding word / food.
dirt cheap. Cute. I have loads of rocks I want to get rid of though!
dirt cheap. Cute. I have loads of rocks I want to get rid of though!
#4
04-19-10, 06:54 AM
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If don't think that rock would make an effective barrier compared to dirt. The basic principal of a french drain is to use gravel or rocks to provide a path for water to flow away from a spot. If you put it against your foundation, you'll just be putting that path to guide thew water to your foundation.
The best solution for your problem is to build up the slope with dirt and to direct the water away with a french drain. You can use the dirt that you dig up from the trench for the french drain. I recognize this would be a difficult project if you have to crawl under the deck, but it should be a permanent solution.
The best solution for your problem is to build up the slope with dirt and to direct the water away with a french drain. You can use the dirt that you dig up from the trench for the french drain. I recognize this would be a difficult project if you have to crawl under the deck, but it should be a permanent solution.
#5
04-19-10, 07:13 AM
Big - thanks for that rock path thought. I wasn't going to leave just the rocks. I was hoping it would be like rocks mixed into the dirt as filler. Have to keep the rocks off the wall itself. the amount of water at issue here is nominal. so something exotic like a french drain seems too much. just want the water to not poool up against the house.
here's a picture
http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...0/IMG_6902.jpg
here's a picture
http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...0/IMG_6902.jpg
#6
04-19-10, 08:52 PM
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Well something is better than nothing babaganoosh.
The replies we gave just reflect the ideal.
But putting down rock will allow voids to both collect water and allow it to move down the more solid slope. Even if you cover the rock with dirt.. you'd just be hiding the water.
Dirt mixed with rock will accomplish what you want.
The replies we gave just reflect the ideal.
But putting down rock will allow voids to both collect water and allow it to move down the more solid slope. Even if you cover the rock with dirt.. you'd just be hiding the water.
Dirt mixed with rock will accomplish what you want.
#7
04-20-10, 06:08 AM
thanks, yeah, I'm mixing the rock and dirt.
so another thing - would you think painting the cinderblocks with that black water sealer help any (without digging down any into the existing dirt)?
thanks again!
so another thing - would you think painting the cinderblocks with that black water sealer help any (without digging down any into the existing dirt)?
thanks again!
#8
04-20-10, 05:01 PM
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No painting only the exposed area won't benfit you any, and if your not getting any seepage inside then you're already doing enough by addressing the issue with the standing water.
If you add a layer of that rock you've got plenty of on top it'll keep the mixture from washing around and keep dirt spatter off of your deck framing and surface.
I can't believe you didn't get your username from The State. I was so sure too!!
If you add a layer of that rock you've got plenty of on top it'll keep the mixture from washing around and keep dirt spatter off of your deck framing and surface.
I can't believe you didn't get your username from The State. I was so sure too!!
