Grading is very important and often overlooked. One of the largest issues with water laying up against the foundation is that this will cause the clay to expand and create tremendous pressure on the foundation.

This will lead to cracks and cause the wall to bow in. One of the big reason this is overlooked is because it takes years for this type of damage to occur. It is critical to have the ground slopped away from the home with the proper angle so the water runs away from the foundation.