Yard Grading 101 — Why Slope Matters More Than Any Drain You Install
The cheapest, most effective drainage is correct grading. Here's the 6-in-10 rule, why most yards violate it, and how to fix it.
The 6-in-10 rule
Ground level must fall 6" in the first 10 ft from the foundation. This is IRC code in every AZ city. Violating it sends water against the foundation and into stucco/slab penetrations.
Why so many yards violate it
Original builder graded correctly. Then a homeowner added a planter, raised a patio with pavers, dropped mulch against the wall, or piled rock against the foundation — each adds material that defeats the slope.
How to check yours
Stand at the foundation. Look at how the ground rises or falls in the first 10 ft. If it's flat or slopes toward the house, you have a grading problem regardless of how many drains you've installed.
Fixing it
Re-grade with native soil (not topsoil — too soft), capped with rock or hardscape. Reshape planters so the planted area sits below grade, not above. Sometimes a French drain is added, but the grade fix is primary.
Why this is cheaper than drains
A drain costs $1,500–$8,000. Re-grading 200 sf around a foundation costs $400–$1,200 and lasts forever. Always start with grade. Drains are last-resort, not first.
