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Problems with your home’s foundation that show up as cracks, water damage, or uneven floors and door frames can be expensive to fix—typically in the range of $2,000 to $8,000. Fortunately, there are several foundation landscaping guidelines to follow that can prevent a headache and a hefty repair bill. We spoke to experts about steps homeowners can take when planning their landscape that actually help protect their home’s foundation.
Avoid planting trees and shrubs too close to your home.
One of the most helpful ways to protect your home’s foundation is to plant trees and shrubs far enough away from the house, says Steve Corcoran, CEO of Lawn Love. Some plants and trees have aggressive root systems or can cause moisture-related issues that could harm your foundation. “Shrubs and bigger plants typically should be planted at least 5 feet away from your home, while most trees should be planted at least 20 feet away.” However, you should plant certain varieties known for expansive, strong roots such as oaks and poplars even further away.
The following distances from the foundation are recommended:
- Small shrubs (under 3 feet tall): 3 to 4 feet
- Medium shrubs (3 to 5 feet tall): 4 to 6 feet
- Large shrubs (5-plus feet tall): 6 to 10 feet
- Small trees (under 20 feet tall): at least 10 to 20 feet away
- Large trees (over 20 feet tall): at least 20 to 40 feet away
Create shade to reduce heat and insulate around the foundation.
Many people don’t associate landscaping with foundation insulation, but the heat and cold cycles at ground level are a real stress over time for concrete and masonry, and smart plantings handle both, says JoAnne Loftus, president and owner of Archival Designs in Suwanee, Georgia. She suggests positioning trees on the south and west sides of your house to provide shade for those walls during the hottest hours of the day. “On projects I have designed, this reduces the heat load on those walls in the summer months, the soil remains more evenly moist, and the foundation remains cooler.”
Another way to create shade, reduce heat, and insulate your foundation is to install awnings, shutters, a pergola, or light-colored siding to help reflect heat, says Eric Goranson, an interior designer in Lake Oswego, Oregon, and host of The Around the House Show. “You can also plant shrubs or vines a little farther out on trellises; they create an air gap that acts like insulation without touching the house,” he recommends. Just avoid planting anything right against the walls.
Make sure your yard is properly graded.
It’s important to take the time to check that your yard is properly graded. “Most homeowners have never considered it, but the soil around your foundation should be sloped away from the house at a rate of about 6 inches per 10 feet,” advises Loftus. “Otherwise, water will push against the foundation wall, and over time, the pressure will increase.”
If this happens, you might notice water pooling. Loftus has seen this cause serious issues on projects where everything else was correct. When grading isn’t enough, yard drainage solutions like French drains and swales are your next option, says Loftus. “They stop water from reaching the wall and divert it far away.”
Choose the most protective ground cover.
Having something covering the ground helps prevent soil erosion and compaction, which can cause settling and damage to the foundation, which could lead to costly repairs. However, the type of ground cover you choose can also make a difference. “You’ll want to stay away from choices like bark or mulch, which can attract pests like termites or cause waterlogging,” suggests Corcoran.
Instead, opt for gravel or rubber mulch, which encourage adequate water drainage and don’t attract as many pests. If you prefer plants, consider planting an open flower bed with vines, such as periwinkle, sweet woodruff, ivy, creeping juniper, or liriope.
Cut off pest access.
Landscaping and pest access go hand in hand more than most homeowners realize, according to Loftus. The most frequent error she sees is mulch being stacked up against foundation walls. “It’s an invitation for termites, ants, and rodents to come in since they need shelter and moisture, which is provided by moist organic material against the wall.”
The fix here is simple. Loftus recommends removing mulch and soil at least 6 inches from the foundation wall and maintaining this distance throughout the year. “That space eliminates the hiding places that pests need to get to the structure,” says Loftus. He agrees that gravel borders near a foundation are the long-term answer. “They do not hold water as much as organic mulch, nor do they compact against the wall and change with the seasons.”
Additionally, Goranson recommends making sure plants, firewood, and debris do not touch the house. This prevents giving pests a direct bridge inside. “This actually lines up perfectly with wildfire safety rules, which recommend a clear 0 to 5 foot zone right around the base with no vegetation at all,” he explains.
