Foundation Clearance

If all foundations were built three feet out of the ground it would put some repair carpenters out of business, but that probably will not happen. When siding materials are installed too close to or touching the ground, all sorts of bad things will happen. Rot and infestation are the biggest problems. Wood will obviously rot when wet or damp all the time. Vinyl products are not prone to rot, but moisture can get up behind them and cause trouble that is not obvious. Insects love siding materials close to the ground -- it's like an enclosed entrance for them. The higher the better, but 8 inches should be considered a minimum clearance between the earth and siding materials. Remember -- leaves, weeds, and grass up against the foundation effectively reduce the existing clearance.

- Stephen Corwin

-- Anonymous, May 16, 2001