How Landscaping Affects Your Foundation: Drainage Best Practices

Landscaping is about more than curb appeal — it’s your first line of defense against foundation damage. Poor grading, clogged drains, or misdirected downspouts can quietly lead to costly issues like cracks, leaks, or even structural settlement.

At Rote’s Landscaping & Waterproofing in Janesville, we specialize in creating landscapes that not only look great but also protect your home’s foundation from Wisconsin’s unpredictable weather. Here’s what every homeowner should know about proper drainage and erosion control.

Grading: The First Step to Keeping Water Away

Your yard’s grade — the slope of the soil around your home — plays a huge role in foundation health. If the ground slopes toward your house instead of away, rainwater will pool near the foundation and eventually find its way in.

Best practice:

• Ensure soil slopes at least 6 inches downward over the first 10 feet away from your foundation.
• Regrade low spots where water tends to collect, especially near corners and downspouts.
• Use compacted clay-based soil rather than loose topsoil around the foundation to prevent water seepage.

Proper grading keeps runoff moving away naturally, reducing the risk of basement leaks and hydrostatic pressure.

Downspout and Gutter Management

Even perfect grading can’t help if your downspouts dump thousands of gallons of roof runoff right back at the base of your home.

Tips for effective drainage:

• Extend downspouts at least 5–10 feet away from the foundation using extensions or underground drain tile.
• Clean gutters regularly — clogged gutters overflow directly onto your foundation.
• Consider buried drainage systems that channel roof water into safe discharge zones or dry wells.

Rote’s team often integrates gutter drainage with landscape grading, ensuring your system works together — not against itself.

Erosion Control Protects More Than Soil

Erosion isn’t just a surface issue; it’s a foundation threat. When soil washes away from your home, it removes the stability your foundation depends on.

Prevent erosion with:

• Ground cover plants or deep-rooted grasses that hold soil in place.
• Mulch beds and retaining walls to slow runoff on slopes.
• River rock or gravel channels for areas prone to heavy flow.

We design erosion control systems that are both functional and attractive, blending natural aesthetics with engineered performance.

4. Waterproofing Completes the Protection

Good grading and drainage are your first defense; professional waterproofing is the last. Even with ideal surface conditions, groundwater can still put pressure on basement walls over time.



At Rote’s Landscaping & Waterproofing, we combine both disciplines — exterior waterproof coatings, drain tile installation, and surface design — to deliver a complete foundation protection plan.

5. Seasonal Maintenance Matters

Wisconsin’s freeze-thaw cycles and spring rains make foundation protection an ongoing effort. Each season, inspect for:

• Soil settling or new low areas near the house.
• Downspouts that have shifted or disconnected.
• New cracks or damp spots in the basement.

Proactive maintenance prevents small drainage issues from turning into major repair costs.

Protect Your Foundation — and Your Investment

Your landscape isn’t just decoration — it’s an extension of your home’s foundation system. With smart grading, controlled runoff, and professional waterproofing, you can keep your property dry, stable, and beautiful for years to come.

Trust Rote’s Landscaping & Waterproofing to diagnose drainage problems, correct grading, and safeguard your foundation from the ground up.