Once you landscape the soil and vegetation around the exterior of your home's foundation and basement, water dripping from the roof begins to slowly erode its surface. In addition to erosion, the soil can become saturated by excessive moisture to cause the moisture to seep into your foundation and basement and potential mold and mildew growth. Here are some ways you can divert and displace the moisture runoff from your home's roof to help keep your foundation and basement dry.

Install a Rain Chain

A rain chain hanging from your roof gutter is a decorative addition to guide and slow the flow of water falling from your roof, and comes in different styles and made of a variety of materials, including glass, copper, cast iron, and stone. A rain chain consists of a chain of objects or cups for water to flow over as it falls to the ground, its form slows the water to prevents it from eroding the soil below.

At the base of the rain chain, it is recommended to install a sloped rock or stone-covered area where the water can gently splash and drain away from your home. This type of feature not only helps prevent soil erosion and saturation, but creates a pleasant and relaxing running-water sound.

Use a Rain Collection Chamber

You can also prevent soil erosion at the base of your gutter downspouts by installing a rain collection barrel. This type of accessory is functional and decorative, and can provide your landscaping and bedding plants with water that you have collected from rain storms.

It is necessary to shorten your home's downspout to allow space for the rain barrel to sit beneath it. The rain barrel should be covered with a mesh filter to prevent debris and other materials from filling and clogging the rain barrels base drainage spout. At the base of the rain barrel you can install a hose onto the drainage spout, which you can turn on and off when you need to deliver water to your nearby plants.

You can also install a dry well buried below the soil in your yard to collect rain water from your roof gutters. A dry well receives incoming water through a pipe that has collected water at the bottom of your downspout. Once inside the dry well, the water drains slowly from holes in the bottom of the well to seep into surrounding soil and water nearby trees.

To learn about your options, contact companies like Monarch Abode.