How to Regrade Your Yard to Stop Basement Flooding

If water is pooling next to your foundation or leaking into your basement, the problem might not be your sump pump or your gutters—it might be your yard.

At Total Home Water Restoration, we’ve seen time and again how improper grading causes major water damage. Good news is, regrading your yard is one of the most effective (and affordable) ways to keep your basement dry for good.

What Is Grading—and Why It Matters

Grading is just the slope of your soil around the house. If the ground slopes toward your foundation instead of away from it, rainwater will naturally drain right into your basement.

We see this a lot in Grove City and surrounding areas like Hilliard, Worthington, and Pickerington—especially in older homes or after landscaping projects that ignored water flow.

Here's what poor grading causes:

• Constant dampness near foundation walls

• Flooded basements during heavy rains

• Mold and mildew problems

• Foundation cracking or shifting over time

The fix? Change the slope so water moves away from your home.

Step-by-Step: How to Regrade Your Yard

You don’t need fancy tools to get started, but you do need to take it seriously. A few inches of soil in the wrong place can make all the difference.

1. Inspect Your Slope

Walk around your house after a heavy rain. Are there puddles near the foundation? Do you see mud or erosion near the walls? These are signs the slope is wrong.

Use a level, string line, or just a visual check to see if the ground angles away from the house. You want at least a 5% slope—or about 6 inches of drop over the first 10 feet from your foundation.

2. Plan for Safe Drainage

Before you start moving dirt, think about where that water will go. Don’t just dump it onto your neighbor’s lot. Ideally, drain it toward:

• A dry well

• A swale (a shallow grassy ditch)

• A storm drain (if allowed)

• A rain garden or low area away from structures

3. Add Soil and Compact It

Use clean fill dirt—not topsoil—to build up the grade. Start at the foundation and work outwards. You’re aiming for a gentle, even slope of 6" per 10'.

Don’t pile soil up against siding or windows. Always leave at least 6 inches between the top of the soil and the bottom of your siding to prevent rot.

Compact the soil as you go using a hand tamper or plate compactor. Loose soil settles fast and can undo your work.

4. Finish with Topsoil and Grass

Once the slope is right, cover it with 2–3 inches of topsoil. Then seed it with grass or lay sod to help prevent erosion.

5. Check Your Downspouts

Make sure your downspouts discharge at least 6–10 feet from the house. Don’t let water dump right into your freshly graded soil—it’ll erode and create new problems fast.

When to Call a Pro

Regrading is simple in theory, but not always easy. If you’ve got:

• Hardscaping like patios or walkways in the way

• Major standing water issues

• A walkout basement or hillside property

…it’s best to bring in a licensed contractor who understands drainage systems. At Total Home Water Restoration, we handle grading, basement waterproofing, and full water damage repair—start to finish.

We’ve helped homeowners across Grove City, Columbus, and nearby cities fix bad drainage the right way, using proven methods and code-compliant solutions.

FAQ: Homeowner Questions About Yard Grading

Q: How do I know if my yard is graded properly?
A: If water drains away from your house and you don’t see puddling after rain, your grade is probably good. Use a string and level to check for 6 inches of drop over 10 feet.

Q: Do I need a permit to regrade my yard?
A: In most areas around Franklin County, small grading changes don’t require a permit. But if you’re changing runoff patterns or affecting neighboring properties, call your local building department.

Q: How much does it cost to regrade a yard?
A: Minor regrading (just adding soil) might cost a few hundred bucks. Full grading projects with drainage systems and equipment can run $1,000–$4,000+ depending on size and complexity.

Need help figuring out your water problem? Give Tyler Zimmerman at Total Home Water Restoration a call at 380-246-1837. We’ll treat your home like it’s our own.

Total Home Water Restoration
4141 Hoover Rd, Grove City, OH 43123