How to Maintain Your Home's Grade

Positive Drainage

The sloped areas around your home channel water away from the foundation. This is called positive drainage. (Negative drainage would channel water toward the foundation of the home – this can damage your home’s foundation.) It is important to maintain and not alter the drainage that was set up for your home as this may create the potential for major structural damage. Changes can also void your warranty.

Pools and additional landscaping around the home must allow for positive drainage away from the home or it may void your foundation warranty.

Swales

Swales

Swales (drainage ditches) are provided to make certain that water drains away from your home and off your lot to the street. It is important to keep these areas clean.

In some cases, a drainage swale won’t follow property boundaries and receives water from and/or passes water onto other home sites. Changing the grade of your home may affect the drainage around your neighbor’s home as well.

After continued rainfall and ground saturation, water may remain in swales for up to 48 hours.

Erosion

Erosion

Weather damage due to a yard that has not been landscaped after closing or washouts caused by roof water are maintenance items and are not covered under your new home warranty.

Excavated or Utility Areas

Excavated or Utility Areas

Back-filled or excavated areas around the foundation and at utility trenches should not interfere with the drainage away from your home. If these areas settle, David Weekley Homes will correct them one time during your first year of warranty.