A reputable/recommended house inspector suggested that we can just pile up dirt to create a grade that will prevent water from collecting around our foundation. We have a crawl space so the dirt will basically be against the outer wall of the crawlspace. He suggested putting dirt against this outer wall.
We live in Los Angeles so we don't get that much rain.
My concern that if the dirt is against the wall, won't this just trap the moisture and keep the wall wet?
Is his advice sound or should I look for alternate solutions?
Best Answer
I live in a very wet climate and that is exactly what we do. Often, the level of the dirt on the outside of the foundation is higher than the level of the dirt on the inside. This is acceptable as long as the soil slopes away from the house on all sides. (Yes, the outer surface of the crawl space wall will be wet/damp, but it would be wet in a rain storm too and this moisture will evaporate...especially in LA.) When we have problems is when one side slopes down to the house and then the "surface" water wants to "stand" (puddle) against the foundation wall and eventually seep into the crawl space.
I think your Inspector is correct. (If you have a basement, then things are different, but you said crawl space.)