If you live anywhere in East Tennessee—whether it’s Knoxville, Kingston, or the surrounding Upper Cumberland—you’ve probably noticed how quickly heavy rainfall can reshape your yard. Washouts, muddy slopes, exposed roots, and standing water are all signs that erosion is beginning to take hold. And once erosion starts, it only gets worse over time.

Erosion can damage your home’s foundation, ruin landscaping, kill plants, and destabilize patios or walkways. Fortunately, most erosion problems can be fixed—and prevented—with the right combination of grading, retaining walls, and drainage control. As a local hardscaping and landscaping contractor, RockSolid Hardscaping & Landscaping designs long-term erosion solutions that fit Tennessee’s unique terrain.

Below are the top signs your property needs erosion control—and the best ways to fix each problem.

1. Soil Washouts After Rainstorms

One of the biggest red flags is soil washing away during or after a rainstorm. In East Tennessee, where storms can produce fast, heavy bursts of water, unprotected slopes and bare soil quickly erode.

You may notice:

• Dirt flowing into your driveway
• Washed-out mulch or gravel
• Bare patches forming near hillsides
• Ruts or channels forming in the lawn

Washouts typically happen because water has no controlled path to travel. Instead, it cuts through the yard and displaces soil.

How to fix it:

• Professional grading to redirect water
• French drains or swales
• Mulch or groundcover plants to stabilize soil
• Dry creek beds for natural water movement
• Retaining walls for severe slopes

Explore erosion-related hardscaping services:
https://gorocksolid.com/services/hardscaping

2. Exposed Roots Around Trees and Shrubs

When soil levels drop, plant roots become exposed. This is a clear sign that erosion has been happening slowly over time. Exposed roots put trees and shrubs at risk, reducing stability and long-term health.

Common causes include:

• Sloped soil facing downhill
• Lack of mulch or groundcover
• Water pooling patterns that cause soil displacement
• Poor original grading

How to fix it:

• Install groundcover plants for stabilization
• Add mulch to protect soil
• Re-grade the area to slow water flow
• Build small retaining borders or terraces

For planting and stabilization solutions:
https://gorocksolid.com/services/landscaping

3. Standing Water or Poor Drainage

If you see water pooling in your yard—or worse, near your home’s foundation—it may be due to improper grading or compacted clay soil. This standing water damages grass, attracts pests, and creates long-term foundation risks.

Signs of drainage issues:

• Soft, muddy areas that never dry
• Water flowing toward the house
• Puddling around patios or walkways
• Foundation moisture

How to fix it:

• Yard leveling and grading
• French drains or dry creek beds
• Downspout extensions
• Retaining walls to divert water
• Soil amendment for better absorption

Learn more about property-wide maintenance and drainage:
https://gorocksolid.com/services/property-maintenance

4. Sinking Patios, Walkways, or Retaining Walls

Erosion doesn’t just affect soil—it affects hardscaping too. If the ground beneath your patio or walkway begins shifting, the structure will sink or tilt. In East Tennessee’s clay soil, this is very common without proper foundational support.

You may see:

• Gaps forming under patio pavers
• Tilting retaining walls
• Cracking concrete
• Uneven walkway surfaces

How to fix it:

• Grading to stabilize the ground
• Rebuilding the base under pavers
• Installing drainage to remove water pressure
• Adding properly engineered retaining walls

See examples of hardscaping repairs and installations:
https://gorocksolid.com/gallery

5. Slopes That Are Becoming Too Steep or Unstable

With East Tennessee’s hilly terrain, natural slopes often erode until they become unsafe or unusable. Homes built along ridges or valleys are especially vulnerable.

Warning signs include:

• Soil sliding downhill
• Slopes becoming steeper over time
• Loose soil that won’t hold plants
• Deep ruts forming after rain

How to fix it:

• Multi-tier retaining walls
• Terrace-style landscaping
• Boulder walls for heavy stabilization
• Groundcover plants with deep roots
• Professional grade reshaping

If a slope is beginning to look unstable, it’s important to act quickly before erosion worsens.

Explore retaining wall solutions:
https://gorocksolid.com/services/hardscaping

How RockSolid Restores and Prevents Erosion Damage

Every erosion issue is different, but most Tennessee yards benefit from a combination of:

• Professional grading
• Engineered retaining walls
• Proper drainage pathways
• Mulching and groundcover stabilization
• Additional hardscaping structures

Because the Upper Cumberland features rocky soil, steep slopes, and heavy rainfall, erosion solutions must be carefully designed for long-term durability—not quick fixes.

RockSolid Hardscaping & Landscaping evaluates your yard, identifies all water flow paths, and builds solutions that protect your home and keep your landscape intact year-round.