Why Grading Around Your Home Matters (And How to Spot Negative Slope)

Grading might not be the first thing you notice about a home, but it plays a major role in protecting your foundation. Especially here in the DFW area, where we experience heavy storms and expansive clay soils, improper grading can quickly lead to major structural issues.

What Is Grading?

Grading refers to the slope of the ground around your home’s foundation. Proper grading directs rainwater away from the structure. Improper grading—or a negative slope—sends water toward your home, increasing the risk of:

• Foundation cracks or movement
• Water intrusion into crawl spaces or slab
• Mold and mildew development
• Soil erosion and pooling

What Is Negative Slope?

A negative slope occurs when the soil around your home tilts toward the foundation rather than away from it. This directs water exactly where you don’t want it—under or against your slab.

How to Spot Negative Grading Around Your Home

• Soil slopes toward the foundation: Visible tilt inward around the base of the home
• Standing water after rain: Pooling that doesn’t drain within 24 hours
• Efflorescence or staining: White mineral deposits on foundation walls
• Hairline cracks in the slab: May signal excess water pressure
• Mulch or landscaping piled too high: Prevents proper water runoff

Visual Guide:

What Proper Grading Should Look Like

The general rule: 6 inches of drop over the first 10 feet away from your foundation (a 5% slope). In addition:

• Driveways and patios should also slope away from the structure
• Downspouts should discharge water 4–6 feet away from the house
• Avoid placing soil or mulch above your foundation line

How to Fix Improper Grading

If your yard slopes the wrong way, these fixes can help:

• Add clean fill dirt and regrade for proper slope
• Install or repair drainage systems like French drains
• Extend downspouts with splash blocks or piping
• Reshape landscape beds and correct hardscape slope

Why This Matters in DFW

DFW soils are notoriously expansive. They expand when wet and shrink when dry—causing foundation movement and cracking. Poor grading accelerates these effects by adding moisture where it doesn’t belong.

Schedule a Professional Home Inspection in DFW

Don’t wait until small slope issues become major repairs. At Valor Inspection Pros, we know what to look for when inspecting foundations, grading, and drainage systems across Denton, Tarrant, and Wise counties.

We’re a veteran-owned company built on trust, precision, and honest assessments—so you can feel confident in your home.

Need answers fast? Call us today or request an inspection through our website.