While you may have landscaping that looks good outdoors, poor landscaping can allow both moisture and pests to enter your home. Follow these landscaping tips for a beautiful outdoor environment that protects your indoor environment too.
- Place all plants outside the dripline of the roof and at least 24” away from the home.
- Make sure plantings don’t block any air intakes or exhaust vents when mature.
- Place a two-foot wide strip of pea-stone or non-woody mulch against the foundation, with landscape cloth underneath, to discourage insect and rodent infestation and prevent vegetation from growing next to the foundation..
- Shade trees should be set far enough away from the home to prevent pest access and eliminate foundation damage from root penetration.
- The finish grade (the dirt/mulch surface) should be at least 8″ below any wood of your home.
- The finish grade on all sides of the home must be sloping away from the building to prevent water intrusion. Guideline: 4 inches of pitch for every 10 feet.
- Be sure not to cover drains or drain outlets with plants.
