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The best way to ensure the ground next to your home’s foundation drains properly is to divert water away from it as much as possible. While a flood wall can stop water from entering the house, gutters and spouts can help direct rainwater and melting snow away from the foundation. Keep your gutters as clear as possible from dead leaves and other yard debris so they can effectively divert water from your house. Add extenders to the spouts so the water runs out and away from your home, not into the surrounding soil.

If you decide to fill the space around your home’s foundation with landscaping materials, it’s important to consider the aesthetic as well as technical factors like drainage and protection from pests and the elements. Materials such as gravel, rubber mulch, concrete, and brick masonry are all good options.

When doing any type of project involving mold, it's important to wear the right protective gear. You'll want an N-95 or KN-95 mask to keep yourself from inhaling mold spores, which can be irritating or trigger an allergic reaction in people with weakened immune systems. You'll also want to wear protective eyewear and gloves to limit your contact with mold.

Water damage always poses a primary risk of mold and mildew, but growth is not guaranteed. Whether mold develops depends on several factors, including the severity of the water damage and how quickly the area is addressed. To prevent mold, you must act fast—ideally within the first 24 hours. The process involves cleaning up all standing water and thoroughly drying the affected area. If the damage is extensive, the cleanup was delayed, or you suspect mold might be present, it is safest to assume it has grown and contact a professional mold inspector or removal expert to assess the situation.