The 5 Most Common Problems with Grading near El Paso County (And How to Fix Them)
Why Grading Matters for Colorado Homes and Land
If you own a home or property in El Paso County, you’ve probably had that sinking feeling when you notice water pooling in your yard, soil washing away after a storm, or cracks forming near your driveway. These problems don’t just happen overnight—they’re often tied back to poor grading.
Grading, simply put, is the way the land slopes around your home or property. When it’s done correctly, grading keeps water moving away from your foundation, helps prevent erosion, and makes your land usable and stable. But when grading goes wrong, it can create headaches that cost you more down the road.
At Minch Enterprise, based right here in Elizabeth and serving Elbert, Douglas, El Paso, Larimer, and Boulder Counties, we’ve seen homeowners go through the stress of dealing with grading issues. You’re not alone if you’ve felt frustrated, worried, or unsure of how to fix these problems. The good news is—every issue we’re about to talk through can be solved with the right plan.
Let’s look at the five most common grading problems we see in El Paso County—and how to fix them.
Problem #1: Poor Drainage and Standing Water
The Problem:
Water is stubborn—it will always find the lowest spot to sit. In Colorado, especially in areas like Colorado Springs or Monument where rain and snowmelt can come fast, poor grading often leads to standing water in yards, driveways, and even next to foundations.
Standing water isn’t just annoying. It can:
Attract mosquitoes and pests.
Kill grass and plants.
Lead to water seeping into your basement or crawl space.
The Fix:
The solution usually starts with re-grading. That means reshaping the soil so water flows away from your home and into proper drainage areas. In some cases, adding French drains or surface drains is the best long-term fix. If your yard has a low spot that always collects water, a small swale (a shallow ditch that directs water) might be enough to solve the problem.
Problem #2: Soil Erosion on Slopes and Driveways
The Problem:
Colorado’s terrain is beautiful but tough on homeowners. In hilly neighborhoods or properties with long driveways, water running downhill can wash soil away. Over time, this erosion makes slopes unstable, damages driveways, and leaves bare patches where grass or landscaping once was.
If you’ve noticed ruts forming in your driveway or soil sliding down a slope, erosion is likely the culprit.
The Fix:
Erosion problems are best handled with a combination of solutions:
Retaining walls to hold back soil.
Proper grading to control water flow.
Ground cover or vegetation to stabilize the soil.
On gravel driveways, re-grading and adding fresh gravel helps keep surfaces even and prevents washouts. For steeper slopes, drainage systems paired with retaining walls are often necessary to keep the land stable.
Problem #3: Uneven Ground That Damages Structures and Landscaping
The Problem:
Uneven grading doesn’t just make mowing your lawn a challenge. It can cause bigger issues:
Patios and decks that shift or crack.
Fences that lean or sink.
Uneven ground where kids can’t safely play.
Landscaping that struggles because water isn’t distributed evenly.
Homeowners often put time and money into beautiful landscaping, only to watch it fail because the grading underneath wasn’t done right.
The Fix:
Leveling out uneven ground with grading equipment solves this problem. Sometimes this involves adding fill dirt, compacting the soil, and then smoothing it to create a stable surface.
For yards where water is also an issue, the grading must balance leveling with proper slope, so water drains away instead of pooling. This is where professional expertise makes a difference—it’s not just about making the yard look flat, it’s about making it function well long-term.
Problem #4: Improper Slope Around Foundations
The Problem:
Your home’s foundation is its backbone, and the soil around it plays a major role in keeping it safe. When grading slopes the wrong way—toward the house instead of away—it creates one of the most serious issues a homeowner can face: water against the foundation.
In El Paso County, where soil can expand when wet and shrink when dry, this back-and-forth pressure can cause cracks in foundation walls. Even small foundation issues can snowball into costly repairs.
The Fix:
The soil around your home should slope at least six inches down over the first 10 feet away from the foundation. If it doesn’t, re-grading is needed. In some cases, additional drainage solutions, like French drains or sump pumps, are recommended to handle heavy rain or snowmelt.
Correcting slope around foundations is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your home’s value and safety.
Problem #5: DIY Grading Mistakes That Cost More Later
The Problem:
Many homeowners try DIY grading to save money. While that makes sense on the surface, grading is more complex than it looks. Without the right equipment or knowledge, it’s easy to:
Create too steep of a slope.
Push water toward, not away from, the house.
Compact the soil unevenly, leading to sinking later.
Miss permit requirements for larger grading jobs.
These mistakes often lead to more expensive fixes down the road.
The Fix:
The best solution is to work with professionals who understand local soil, weather, and regulations. Contractors have the right equipment to grade land evenly and safely. For small DIY projects, it’s smart to at least get advice on slope percentages and drainage before starting.
How to Fix Grading Problems in El Paso County
Fixing grading issues isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Here are the most common approaches:
Re-grading the property to reshape slopes and direct water properly.
Installing drains like French drains, swales, or culverts.
Building retaining walls to stabilize slopes.
Adding gravel or soil where needed to even out surfaces.
Landscaping with erosion-control plants to keep soil in place.
Every property is different. The key is identifying the root cause of the issue and matching it with the right fix.
When to Call a Professional for Grading Work
Not every puddle means you need a contractor, but here are warning signs it’s time to bring in help:
Water is pooling against your foundation.
Soil is eroding after every storm.
Driveways or walkways are cracking or washing out.
Landscaping repeatedly fails in certain spots.
You’ve tried DIY grading, but the problem keeps coming back.
Local professionals understand Colorado’s soils and weather patterns. What works in another state might not hold up here, especially with the heavy snow melt and clay-rich soil common in El Paso County.
Conclusion: Protecting Your Property with the Right Grading Plan
Grading problems can feel overwhelming, but they don’t have to be. Every issue—from drainage and erosion to foundation risks—has a solution. The key is addressing problems early before they become bigger and more expensive.
At Minch Enterprise, we know homeowners in El Paso County care deeply about protecting their homes and land. We’ve helped families across Elbert, Douglas, El Paso, Larimer, and Boulder Counties correct grading issues and restore peace of mind.
If you’ve been dealing with pooling water, erosion, or uneven ground, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. With the right plan, your property can be safe, functional, and ready for the years ahead.
