# Lot grading in Laval, the North Shore and Montreal | National Asphalte

National Asphalte, an excavation and asphalt paving contractor in Laval, the North Shore and Montreal.

Water always follows the slope, so we make it run down and away from your walls.

National Asphalte grades your lot in Laval, on the North Shore and in Montreal, so the slope sends water away from the house. Rain and snowmelt drain off instead of sitting against your foundation. We cut down the high spots and fill in the low ones. Under a driveway or interlocking pavers, grading also leaves an even bottom, ready for the crushed stone base.

## When your yard slopes toward the house

Over time, the soil settles around the foundation. The yard ends up sloping toward the house instead of away from it. Rain stops against the wall and can get into the basement. Grading turns the slope back the right way.

## Signs of a poorly graded yard

You can spot for yourself where the water isn't draining.

- Puddles stay against the house long after the rain.
- Ice forms in the same spot every winter, on the driveway or the sidewalk.
- Part of the driveway or the interlocking pavers sinks.
- Water gets into the basement when the snow melts.

If water is already getting into the basement, your French drain deserves a look too.

[See: French drains](/en/french-drains)

## An even bottom under your driveway or pavers

Before a surface goes in, we grade the bottom of the excavation. It gets the slope the water will follow, under the surface as well as on top. A surface laid on an uneven bottom keeps the marks. Water sits in the low spots, then the surface cracks.

[See: asphalt paving](/en/asphalt-paving)

[See: interlocking pavers](/en/interlocking-pavers)

## How we grade your yard

1. **We look at where the water comes from.** We also find a spot where it can go without bothering your neighbours.
2. **We measure the elevations of the lot.** We lay out the slope before we move any soil.
3. **The machine moves the soil.** It takes soil from the high areas and pushes it toward the low ones. Near the walls, we add soil so the ground slopes down and away from the house.
4. **We compact the soil.** Compacted soil keeps its slope after the rains.

National Asphalte also does the excavation.

[See: excavation](/en/excavation)

[See: opening a wooded lot](/en/land-clearing)

## Common questions

### Why does water flow toward my house?

Because your yard slopes toward it. Often, the soil has settled near the foundation and the slope has reversed. Grading gives the ground back a slope that runs down and away from the house. We add soil near the walls, then compact it so the slope holds.

### How much slope does a yard need?

It needs a slope that runs down and away from the house, steep enough for water to flow without stopping. The right slope depends on the shape of the lot and where the water can go. We measure it on site, during the visit, before moving any soil.

### Do you need to grade before paving a driveway?

Yes. The bottom has to be even and hold its slope before the stone goes on. Otherwise, the surface follows the dips in the ground, and water collects there. We level the bottom, then lay the stone base and the surface on it.

### Can grading solve water in the basement?

Yes, when the water comes from a yard that slopes toward the house. Once the slope is redone, rain moves away from the walls instead of stopping there. If the French drain is no longer doing its job, it needs checking too. We look at both during the visit and give you free advice.

## Show us where the water sits

After a rain, take a photo of the spots where water sits. Attach it to your request, and we will advise you at no charge. Call us at [514-812-3445](tel:+15148123445), Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Call us at 514-812-3445

Page: https://www.nationalasphalte.com/en/grading