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Fix a grading that slopes toward the house

We'll confirm the slope, add fill to regrade small areas, or tell you when to call a grading contractor.

Troubleshooting · Home maintenance
2–4 hours
What you'll need
  • Compactible fill soil (clay or sandy loam)
  • Shovel and rake
  • Hand tamper or plate compactor (for larger areas)
  • Level and straight board or string and stakes (to measure slope)
Step 1 of 4

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Quick triage — pick your path

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Steps

Goal: Confirm the slope, add fill to regrade small areas, or call a grading contractor when the scope is large.

  • Walk the perimeter during or after rain. Look for water pooling near the foundation or ground sloping toward the house.
  • Good: Water pools or ground slopes toward the foundation—grading issue. Proceed to Confirm the slope.
  • Bad: Water comes from gutters or plumbing—see fix-downspout-overflows or fix-basement-floods.

Confirm the slope

Goal: Measure the current slope and confirm it needs correction.

  • Identify where water pools—often at corners, under downspouts, or along walkways. Check if downspouts discharge too close—see fix-downspout-overflows.
  • Measure the slope: the ground should slope away at least 1 inch per foot for 5–10 feet from the foundation. Use a level and straight board, or string and stakes.
  • Check for low spots or swales that channel water toward the foundation. You should see the current slope and how much it needs to change.

Add fill

Goal: Add compactible fill to build slope away from the foundation.

  • Use compactible fill—clay or sandy loam, not pure topsoil. Avoid organic mulch; it settles.
  • Add soil in thin layers (4–6 inches). Compact each layer with a hand tamper or plate compactor before adding more.
  • Build the slope so it drops 1 inch per foot for 5–10 feet away from the foundation. Fill low spots first so water does not pool in new dips.
  • Good: Slope rises away from the house. Water drains away during rain.
  • Bad: Soil settles or water still pools—compact more, or extend downspouts. If the area is large, call a grading contractor.

Check gutters and downspouts

Goal: Confirm gutters and downspouts direct water away from the foundation.

  • Downspouts must extend at least 4–6 feet from the foundation. If they discharge too close, see fix-downspout-overflows.
  • Grading alone is not enough if downspouts dump water at the base. You should see water flowing away from the house.

When to get help

Call a grading contractor if:

  • The area to regrade is large (more than a few feet of slope correction).
  • The slope is steep or the work is near utility lines or structures.
  • The foundation shows cracks or damage—a pro should assess before regrading.
  • You are not comfortable with the work.

Verification

  • The ground slopes away from the foundation at least 1 inch per foot for 5–10 feet.
  • No water pools near the foundation during or after rain.
  • Downspouts extend 4–6 feet from the foundation.
  • Fill soil is compacted and has not settled significantly.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Confirm symptom Verify water pools or ground slopes toward the foundation.
  2. Measure slope Verify slope is insufficient (ground slopes toward house or is flat; should slope away 1 inch per foot for 5–10 feet).
  3. Add fill Add compactible fill and compact to create slope away.
  4. Check gutters Confirm downspouts extend 4–6 feet from foundation.
  5. Call a pro Large areas, steep slopes, or foundation damage—call a grading contractor.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Where water pools (corners, downspouts, walkways)
  • Current slope measurement
  • Size of area to regrade
  • Whether foundation shows cracks or damage

Does the ground slope toward the house or pool water at the foundation?

Check during or after rain. Water pools near the foundation, or the ground visibly slopes down toward the house instead of away.

Walk the perimeter. Look for water pooling or ground sloping toward the foundation. Good: you see pooling or slope toward the house—grading issue. Bad: water comes from gutters or plumbing—see fix-downspout-overflows or fix-basement-floods.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Is it a small area you can fill, or large/steep?

Small areas (a few feet of slope correction) can be done with fill. Large areas, steep slopes, or foundation damage need a pro.

Measure the area. Small: a few feet of slope correction, no utility lines in the way. Large: more than a few feet, steep slope, or foundation cracks. Small: proceed to add fill. Large: call a grading contractor.

Small Large or steep

You can change your answer later.

Add fill and compact

Use compactible fill (clay or sandy loam). Add in thin layers, compact each. Slope 1 inch per foot for 5–10 feet away from foundation.

Add compactible fill in layers of 4–6 inches. Compact each layer with a hand tamper or plate compactor. Build slope 1 inch per foot for 5–10 feet away from the foundation. Check gutters and downspouts extend 4–6 feet. Good: slope away, water drains. Bad: still pools—extend downspouts or call a pro.

Done

Call a grading contractor

Call a grading contractor if: the ground does not slope toward the house (different issue—see fix-downspout-overflows or fix-basement-floods); the area to regrade is large or steep; you have utility lines or structures in the way; the foundation shows cracks or damage; or you are not comfortable with the work.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why does grading matter?
When the ground slopes toward the house, rainwater and runoff pool at the foundation instead of draining away. That leads to basement flooding, foundation cracks, and moisture damage. Proper grading directs water away.
Can I fix grading myself?
Yes, for small areas—add compactible fill soil to build up low spots and create a slope of 1 inch per foot for 5–10 feet away from the foundation. Compact the soil. For large areas or steep slopes, call a grading contractor.
When should I call a grading contractor?
Call a contractor if: the area to regrade is large (more than a few feet), the slope is steep, you have utility lines or structures in the way, the foundation shows cracks or damage, or you are not comfortable with the work.

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