Hole in ground next to foundation
How to Build Up Dirt Around Foundation
Water damage to your home, especially the foundation, can be devastating. If you have discovered water that leaks into your foundation, you know it can lead to severe and costly damages. You also need to figure out how to prevent the water from reaching the foundation again in the future.
The water either wears down the structure over time by simply sitting there or it causes moisture problems in your basement as it leaks in through the cracks and holes that already exist in your foundation. Because of this, it is extremely important to ensure no water is leaking in your home or on the side of your home. However, your foundation may be significantly exposed, allowing rain water to easily find its way to the top or side of the foundation.
Building Up Dirt Around Your Home’s Foundation
The best way to combat this issue and improve drainage is to grade the soil around your home using dirt. This will allow the water to flow away from your home instead of into it. Follow the step-by-step guide below if you want to know how to build up dirt around foundation. The process is pretty straightforward and can provide you with a fix to that w
Small Holes Around Foundation of House: Causes & Solutions: 1 Minute to Spot, Fix, and Prevent Foundation Holes Fast
Small holes around the foundation of a house often look minor, but they can signal significant underlying issues such as pest infestations, water drainage failures, or early signs of structural distress. Addressing these holes proactively is critical: ignoring them invites larger repair bills and compromised home safety. In this guide, you’ll learn to identify the causes behind these small holes, effective diagnostic steps, proven fixes, and strategic prevention—all based on real-world cases and authoritative guidelines.
Whether you’re a homeowner, maintenance professional, or renovation enthusiast, understanding the nuances of holes around foundations helps you act early, prevent further damage, and maintain property value.
Let’s break down the essentials—starting with the big-picture reasons behind foundation-area holes, how to tell them apart, and step-by-step approaches to remediation.
Understanding the Causes of Small Holes Around Your House Foundation
Not all foundation holes are alike—and knowing the source shapes your solution. The most common cau
Small Holes in Ground Around House: Causes & Solutions: Fast-Track Guide to Spotting & Solving Outdoor Mystery Holes
Noticed small holes in the ground around your house? While this discovery can trigger concern—especially about pests or your home’s structural integrity—most cases are easy to explain and harmless. Still, persistent or clustered holes might signal a more significant issue. Here’s what homeowners and DIY enthusiasts need to know to address these unexpected lawn mysteries and keep your home protected.
Key Takeaway: Most small ground holes are caused by insects or animals and pose little risk, but ongoing clusters, soil erosion, or proximity to the foundation may require closer inspection for potential structural or drainage problems.
Before taking action, observe the size, shape, and location of the holes. Quick attention to these details can help you distinguish between harmless burrows and trouble that needs a pro’s eye. Let’s break down what’s really happening underground.
Common Causes of Small Holes in Ground Around House
The majority of small holes come from local wildlife. Insects (like ants, ground beetles, and cicada killers) create pencil-si
5 Animals That Burrow Under Concrete (& How to Stop Them)
Out in the woods, digging animals are an essential part of the ecosystem.
They aerate the soil, create important habitats for other creatures, and control insects and other pests.
In urban and residential areas, though, animals that burrow under concrete can wreak havoc on homes and structures.
If you’re wondering, “what is digging holes around my foundation?” you’re not alone.
At Smith’s Pest Management, we help resolve the issues caused by animals burrowing concrete daily in the San Francisco Bay Area, so we know what it takes to get these critters under control and prohibit further property damage.
In this blog, we’ll share our top tips for identifying and stopping animals that burrow under concrete.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Moles, voles, ground squirrels, gophers, and skunks burrow under concrete structures.
- Left untreated, these burrowing pests can quickly cause dangerous, costly damage to your foundation, slab, sidewalk, or driveway.
- Controlling burrowing pests requires a comprehensive approach tailored to the pests on your property. Common tactics include exclusion, trapping, baiting, habitat m
Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District
What is a Sinkhole?
Depressions often develop in suburban yards. In Fairfax County, these depressions technically are not real sinkholes. True sinkholes are formed in areas with limestone rock and karst geology, which can be found elsewhere in Virginia, but not in our region. However, water can burrow through loose layers of soil or poorly compacted areas to create underground voids. These voids can become so large that the soil and grass “roof” sinks or collapses to form large holes. Since homeowners commonly call them sinkholes, we will also.
Sinkholes may occur along outside walls or in the lawn or garden. They can have various shapes and sizes and can grow or deepen either slowly or rapidly. In many cases, sinkholes can be repaired by the homeowner. Before any remediation work is done, the extent and cause of the sinkhole should be determined.
First, use a probe to investigate the hole. How deep is it? How wide is it? Is there a solid floor?
Be very careful when examining or working in sinkholes. Collapse of the sinkhole walls can lead to injury or death. Never enter a sinkhole that is deeper than chest height. Th