# Hillside Home Foundation Problems (From Erosion to Drainage) > There are some forces of nature we just can't escape, gravity, aging, weight gain (okay, maybe not that last one). Schedule a free evaluation with Dalinghaus. _Brian Dalinghaus ยท 2021-05-05_ Video: [Homes Located On or Near Slopes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BbIQ570r8M) --- There are some forces of nature we just can't escape, _gravity_, _aging_, _weight gain_ (okay, maybe not that last one). Erosion is an inescapable act of mother nature that slowly, but surely, grinds hills down. ## What Is Erosion? Erosion is the gradual and perpetual geological process of diminution/movement of soil, rock, and sedimentary debris from natural forces such as wind, water, ice, and time. Hillside homes have long epitomized wealth and exclusivity, I mean, this is where we get the term a _million-dollar-view_ and why all of the boujee areas of America have _hills_ in the title. Despite their vistas overlooking luscious vineyards, shimmering expanses of water, or blinking city lights, they are not immune to erosion and have their own unique set of challenges (such as **[[service:hillside-repair/slope-stabilization|slope stabilization]]** **)**. In this article, we are going to address challenges unique to Hillside homes: - Erosion - Broken Retaining Walls - [[service:crawl-space-repair/seismic-retrofitting|Cripple Walls]] A significant chunk of our articles covers [**foundation settlement**](/foundation-repair/problem-signs/sinking-foundation/) and [**foundation heave**](/blog/what-is-foundation-heave/), both of which are caused by **expansive soil**. While **hillside homes** can experience these phenomena, this article is focused on _hillside specific_ issues Read more: **[Can Hills/Slopes Move? And Why?](/hillside-repair/problem-signs/slope-movement/)** ## Erosion Erosion is public enemy _numero uno_ when it comes to homes built on hillsides. It's true, what goes up must come down. And, it is also true, _what is already up is on its way down_ (no matter how slowly). Erosion claws its way into hillsides and mountains with _wind_, _rain_, _ice_, a type of geological sandpaper exerted by the hands of time. Rain is the biggest instigator of erosion as it _bites_ into the soil and carries dirt, rock, and various debris with it _downhill_. Vegetation locks roots into the soil and helps keep soil in place during heavy rains. If there is little to no vegetation, large swaths of a hillside can be washed out and instigate mudslides. Homes built on hillsides with little to no vegetation are at greater risk of erosion. However, the biggest factor of homes built into/on hills is nonexistent or [[sign:foundation-repair/improper-drainage|poor drainage]] systems. It can even wear away rock if given enough time. The Colorado River, for example, carved out the Grand Canyon. ## Poor/Nonexistent Drainage Water is incredibly powerful. You might be thinking, but I live in Arizona or Southern California where it doesn't rain a whole heckuva lot. This could, in fact, put you at **_greater risk_** for erosion when it does rain. You probably have **_less vegetation_** than your neighboring wet states and have a **_poor or nonexistent_** drainage system. You have nothing keeping your soil in place, soaking up extra water and you have nothing rerouting water away from your home. Many homes in Southern California and Arizona don't have proper drainage systems, let alone the bare necessities to weather a deluge. This can put your primary financial investment in jeopardy. **_Weathering_ is the breakdown of sedimentary elements. _Erosion_ is the movement, relocation of the broken-down elements.** Here at Dalinghaus, we highly recommend **_at least_** implementing the following: - Rain Gutters - Downspouts directed **_away_** from the house - Concrete poured/angled at a 2-degree slope away from the house - Properly grated/drained concrete and soil Just like with foundation settlement and foundation heave, there are signs and symptoms to look for when it comes to poor drainage. ## Signs You Need a Better Drainage System - Soil erosion - Sodden/ Spongy yard - Cracked foundation/washed out footing - Puddles that refuse to evaporate or take a long time doing so - Flooding on your property - Water pooling on your walkways, patios, or driveways - Soil/Silt washes onto your sidewalks during a rainstorm If your property has any of the symptoms above, regardless if you live on a slope or not, you will want to hire a drainage specialist to install a drainage system. **The two primary types of drainage systems are:** ## Surface Water Drainage Systems Surface water drainage systems externally channel water away from softscape ( _i.e._ flowerbeds/lawns) and hardscape ( _i.e._ concrete patios/driveways) areas where excess moisture inherently collects/pools. Surface water drainage systems typically conduct runoff to storm drains, creeks, or underground drainage systems. ## Underground Ground Drainage Systems Underground drains, such as French Drains, channel water away from overly saturated soil, lawns, and vegetated areas, directing the water to storm drains or creeks or simply away from a home. Underground drains are incredibly effective at preventing erosion. _"The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat the house; and it didn't fall, for it was founded on the rock."_ In short, with the proper drainage, you can **_slow down_** erosion but never stop it completely. We live on a beautiful planet that is in perpetual motion, an ever-changing and evolving geological landscape. ## Broken Retaining Walls [Retaining walls](/retaining-wall-repair/) are a favorite type of slope stabilization. The retaining wall acts as a barrier and retains the weight of the load behind it. This ties back into rain. **Wet soil is heavy soil.** And heavy soil on a slip plane is bound to follow gravity. When one section of soil is relocated, the section of soil above it moves in to fill in the gap, causing a chain reaction. **Broken retaining walls can actually lead to a slippery slope, if some soil slips, more will move, and so on.** Retaining walls without proper drainage or support can bow outward and break, unable to sustain the load exerted on it. Retaining walls are a major line of defense against erosion and help keep hillside homes in place. [Cripple Walls](/blog/what-is-a-cripple-wall/) are a bit of an outlier because they are by no means limited to homes built into hillsides. However, they were a popular option prior to the _1960s_ for homes that needed one section of the foundation to sit _directly on gradient_ and the other section to sit _above gradient_ to keep the home level. Cripple Walls are a type of raised foundation. The stud walls sit between the foundation and the home ( **often ranging between 2 to 4 feet high**) and are not often properly secured. As far as raised foundations go, these are the weakest form. It is a good idea to seismically retrofit your cripple wall foundation to improve stability and security in the event of an earthquake. You want to keep your hillside home exactly where it is, not go sailing with it downhill. ## Dalinghaus Can Help Here at Dalinghaus, we specialize in foundation repair and slope stabilization. If you believe your retaining wall is failing or need your cripple wall seismically retrofitted, we have your back. Check out our job story **[Stabilizing A La Jolla Hillside Home With Push Piers](/foundation-repair/solutions/push-piers/)** Remember kids: - **Rain** is your home's number one enemy when it comes to erosion - **Broken retaining walls** actually do lead to a slippery slope - **Cripple Walls** can cripple your home if not seismically retrofitted ## Schedule a Free Evaluation Foundation movement is easier to judge in person than from a photo. [Schedule a free evaluation](/contact-us/) and a Dalinghaus specialist will walk the property with you and explain what the evidence shows.