Why this direction works
Side yards funnel roof and surface water toward the house, and a planted swale beside the slab gives that water a defined route away, slowing and filtering it as it goes. It keeps the foundation dry and the side yard usable, handling drainage with planting rather than a bare ditch or a hidden pipe.
Finish and layout observations
Detail the slab edge cleanly against the swale so the slab holds while the channel drains, and grade the swale gently away from the house. Plant it with species that handle intermittent flow and stabilize a narrow channel.
Circulation, drainage, and maintenance
- Grade the swale gently away from the house so water leaves the foundation.
- Detail the slab edge so runoff enters the swale without undercutting.
- Plant the swale to handle intermittent flow and stabilize the channel.
What to verify before building
- A swale graded away from the house.
- A stable slab edge feeding the swale.
- Planting that stabilizes an intermittent channel.
Frequently asked questions
What is a planted swale?
A shallow, gently graded, planted channel that carries and slows runoff, filtering it as it goes, used as a green alternative to a bare ditch or hidden pipe. It routes water away deliberately.
Why route side-yard water away from the house?
Side yards funnel water toward the foundation, so a swale directing it away keeps the house dry and the yard usable. Grade it gently away from the house.
Practical next step
Start with a measured, editable estimate
Use the calculator for the concrete field that can be measured today. Keep steps, walls, utilities, drainage structures, shade supports, and other distinct construction elements separate until their real dimensions and support requirements are known.
Estimate a similar concrete featureRelated visual directions
