Preventing Erosion Around Your Home’s Foundation

Erosion around your home’s foundation is more than just an eyesore—it’s a serious problem that can lead to water damage, basement flooding, and even structural issues. In areas like Clio, Michigan, where heavy rains and snowmelt are common, protecting your foundation from erosion should be a top priority for homeowners.

Gath’s Landscaping has helped countless Mid-Michigan homeowners address drainage problems and erosion damage. Here’s what you need to know to prevent costly repairs and keep your foundation safe.

Why erosion happens near foundations

Erosion occurs when water washes soil away, and around a home’s foundation, this can cause serious and expensive problems. In Mid-Michigan, the combination of heavy rains, melting snow, and seasonal storms can speed up the process. As soil is removed from the base of your home, it can expose the foundation footings, create gaps where water collects, and direct moisture into basements or crawl spaces.

When left unaddressed, foundation erosion can lead to water damage, mold growth, and even structural instability.

Common causes of foundation erosion include:

• • Improper grading – If your yard slopes toward your home instead of away, water naturally flows toward the foundation. Over time, this runoff washes soil away and increases the risk of basement leaks.
  • Clogged or missing gutters/downspouts – Without a system to capture and redirect roof runoff, rainwater can pool directly at the base of your home, saturating and eroding the soil.
  • Downspouts that discharge too close – Even with gutters, water must be directed several feet away from your foundation. If it isn’t, the soil near your home will stay wet, break down, and wash away.
  • Soil composition – Loose or sandy soils are more vulnerable to being carried away during storms, while clay-heavy soils tend to hold water against the foundation, creating pressure and weakening its stability.
  • Lack of landscaping or ground cover – Bare soil offers no protection from rainfall. Areas without grass, mulch, decorative stone, or other ground cover erode much faster, especially during heavy downpours.

Signs you may already have an erosion problem

The earlier you identify erosion, the easier—and less costly—it is to fix. When erosion happens near your foundation, the signs can range from subtle changes in the soil to clear structural warning flags.

Here are some indicators to watch for:

• • Exposed sections of your foundation or footings – If you can see concrete or structural elements that should be covered by soil, erosion has already removed a significant amount of material.
  • Uneven soil or dips forming near your home – Small depressions or sink-like areas along the foundation line may be early signs that water is washing soil away beneath the surface.
  • Water pooling after rain – Standing water near your foundation is a major red flag. It means the ground isn’t draining properly, which can quickly lead to erosion and basement leaks.
  • Cracks in basement walls or floors – As soil shifts and washes away, it can cause stress on your foundation, leading to visible cracks. These may start small but can grow over time.
  • Soil splashing up onto siding during storms – When rainfall hits bare ground with force, it can throw soil against your home’s exterior. This is often a sign that the protective landscaping layer is missing or insufficient.

If you notice any of these issues, it’s important to address them promptly. Left unchecked, erosion can cause long-term structural damage, water intrusion, and expensive repairs. Gath’s Landscaping can inspect your property, identify the source of the problem, and recommend solutions such as grading, drainage improvements, and erosion control landscaping to protect your home.

How to prevent erosion around your foundation

Preventing erosion is all about controlling where water goes and making sure the soil around your home stays stable. In Mid-Michigan, where heavy rain, snowmelt, and seasonal storms are common, taking the right preventative steps can protect your home’s foundation for decades. Here are the most effective solutions Gath’s Landscaping recommends for homeowners in Clio and the surrounding areas.

1. Correct your yard’s grading

The slope of your yard plays a huge role in how water behaves after a storm. If the land around your home is flat or tilts toward the house, water will naturally flow toward the foundation, increasing the risk of erosion and water intrusion.

• • • Your yard should slope away from your home at a rate of about 1 inch per foot for the first 6–10 feet.
    • A properly graded yard channels water away before it can pool near the foundation.
    • Gath’s Landscaping offers professional grading services to achieve the correct slope and improve long-term drainage.
    • We can pair grading with topsoil installation and sod or seeding to create a durable, attractive surface that resists erosion.

2. Install or repair gutters and downspouts

Even if your yard is perfectly graded, water from your roof can still overwhelm the soil near your foundation without a functioning gutter system. Gutters capture roof runoff and move it safely away—if they’re in good working order.

• • • Make sure your gutters are clean and damage-free so water flows freely.
    • Downspouts should extend at least 4–6 feet from the house to prevent saturation in the soil near the foundation.
    • Gath’s Landscaping can work with gutter contractors or coordinate installations so downspout discharge points don’t create new erosion problems.
    • Simple additions like splash blocks or flexible extensions can help guide water toward a safe runoff area.

3. Add landscaping to protect bare soil

Bare ground is highly vulnerable to erosion. Strategic landscaping not only adds beauty to your property—it also protects the soil and slows water movement.

• • • Mulch installation in garden beds helps absorb water, reduce splash erosion, and keep soil in place during heavy rains.
    • Decorative stone or river rock beds are ideal for areas where plants won’t thrive but water still needs to be slowed.
    • Groundcover plants and shrubs anchor the soil with their roots, preventing washouts and adding curb appeal.
    • Gath’s Landscaping can design low-maintenance planting plans that protect your foundation while enhancing your yard.

4. Improve drainage with functional solutions

Sometimes grading and landscaping alone aren’t enough—especially for properties on slopes, near low-lying areas, or with high water tables. In those cases, adding dedicated drainage systems can make all the difference.

• • • French drains capture water in a perforated pipe and redirect it underground to a safe discharge point.
    • Dry creek beds built with stone handle large volumes of runoff while blending seamlessly into the landscape.
    • Catch basins collect water in low spots before it gets near your home.
    • Gath’s Landscaping has successfully installed drainage systems in Birch Run, Frankenmuth, and Montrose, solving long-standing erosion problems for homeowners.

5. Maintain your property regularly

Even the best erosion prevention plan needs upkeep. Weather, time, and seasonal changes can create new challenges, so it’s important to stay ahead of potential problems.

• • • Schedule seasonal yard cleanups to remove debris and keep water pathways clear.
    • Refresh mulch annually to maintain coverage and protection.
    • Inspect your gutters, downspouts, and drainage features after storms.
    • Gath’s Landscaping offers ongoing maintenance to help homeowners protect their investments year-round.

Proudly serving Clio and surrounding areas

Gath’s Landscaping provides erosion control, grading, drainage solutions, and full landscaping services in:

• • Clio
  • Frankenmuth
  • Birch Run
  • Vassar
  • Millington
  • Davison
  • Otisville
  • Montrose
  • Flushing
  • Burt

Protect your foundation—schedule erosion control today

Don’t wait until erosion causes costly foundation repairs. Call Gath’s Landscaping today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can protect your home with professional grading, drainage, and landscaping solutions.

We proudly serve Clio and surrounding Mid-Michigan communities with expert landscaping, gravel driveway installation, mulch installation, seasonal yard cleanups, and more—helping you keep your property safe, functional, and beautiful.