How to slope soil away from your house foundation
By My Yard Editorial Team · 7/28/2026
The Quick Answer
The standard is 6 inches of fall over the first 10 feet — roughly a 5% slope. Keep the final grade at least 6 inches below siding to avoid rot and termite paths.
The Witty Breakdown
Over years, soil settles against foundations and the slope quietly reverses. Then a basement gets damp and everyone blames the gutters.
Use compacted clay or a clay-loam mix directly against the house, not loose topsoil or mulch, which act like sponges.
Step-by-Step Fix
- 1
Measure current slope with a string line and a level.
- 2
Add and compact soil in 3-inch lifts until you hit 6 inches of fall over 10 feet.
- 3
Keep grade 6 inches below siding, brick weep holes, and sill plates.
- 4
Cap with a thin layer of topsoil and seed, or with mulch pulled back from the wall.
Pro-Tip / Do Not Do This
Never pile mulch or soil above the siding line to fix a slope. You're building a moisture bridge straight into your framing.
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