below grade

In construction, "below grade" means below the finished ground level around a building. "Grade" is the surface of the soil after construction and landscaping are finished. Any part of a structure that sits lower than that surface, such as a basement, a foundation wall, or the ground under a crawl space, is below grade, and it's in constant contact with soil moisture. That last part is why the term matters. Everything below grade has to deal with water in the surrounding soil,

The crawl space under an Austin pier-and-beam home stays damp for three reasons: expansive clay soil holds moisture against the ground under the house, humid outdoor air pulled in through the vents condenses on cooler framing, and exterior grading sends rainwater under the home instead of away from it. The lasting fix handles the water first, through grading and drainage, and then seals the space with crawl space encapsulation. Scott Lockhart Drainage Contractor has been solv