Inspecting Soil Under Landscaping Fabric

Calgary Drainage Tips: Why Checking Your Yard’s Grading Matters

Calgary homeowners often focus on the visible beauty of their landscaping, but what lies beneath can significantly impact drainage around their homes. Over time, soil can shift, creating negative slopes that direct water toward your foundation, garage, deck, or walkways. Regularly checking the grading under mulch, decorative rocks, and fabric is essential to prevent water damage and costly repairs. In this guide, we’ll explain why grading matters and how to fix any issues you find.

Check Your Yard’s Grading: A Crucial Step for Drainage in Calgary

Many Calgarians invest in decorative rock, mulch, and landscaping fabric to enhance their yards. However, what lies beneath these materials plays a critical role in preventing drainage issues. Over time, soil can settle or erode, creating negative slopes that direct water toward your home’s foundation, garage, under your deck, or onto concrete walkways and stairs.

Why Checking Grading Matters

A negative slope can lead to:

Foundation Damage: Water pooling against foundation walls can seep in, causing cracks and costly repairs.
Garage Water Issues: Improper drainage can lead to moisture buildup in the garage.
Deck & Walkway Damage: Water pooling under decks or along concrete walkways can lead to structural weakening or icing in winter.

A well-graded yard with decorative rock and mulch, sloping away from the house to prevent water pooling.

A homeowner lifting landscaping fabric under decorative rocks to check soil grading near a foundation.

How to Inspect & Fix Grading Issues

Lift the Fabric & Check the Grade:Every so often, especially in problem areas, lift the landscaping fabric and inspect the soil’s slope.
Look for Low Spots: If you notice water pooling or sloping toward structures, it’s time to make adjustments.
Add & Compact Clay Soil: To correct the slope, add clay soil where needed and compact it firmly to ensure stability.
Replace Fabric & Landscaping Material: Once the grade is corrected, place the fabric back and restore your mulch or rocks.

A person adding and compacting clay soil under a yard’s landscaping to improve drainage away from the foundation.

Check out our Landscaping Drainage Systems Calgary

How to Identify Drainage Issues in Your Yard:
- Look for signs of standing water, erosion, or soil saturation after rain.
- Monitor areas around your home's foundation for dampness or moisture.
How to Protect Your Landscape from Water Damage:
- Use mulch and ground cover plants to prevent erosion.
- Incorporate native plants with deep root systems to help absorb excess water.
- Consider installing retaining walls or raised flower beds to redirect water flow.