Replies

1. 
   Jeff_Clarke | Nov 18, 2007 05:58am | #1

   It's not rocket science ... right at the wall I'd want to make sure it slopes 1:12 away as a minimum if possible.   Remember the more you've built it up (without compacting, which is hard to do with topsoil) the more it will settle.

   Congrats on 20 YDs - I did 40 in September with my John Deere + Johnny Bucket so I know what you mean!

   Hey ... wait you're in NJ too - how are you going to get anything to grow on it - wait til spring, right?   Erosion over the winter?   Mulch?   etc.

   Jeff

   
   

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   Edited 11/17/2007 9:59 pm ET by Jeff_Clarke

1. 
   dockelly | Nov 18, 2007 07:22am | #2

   Hey Jeff,Couple of points: I didn't deal with the 20 with a shovel and wheelbarrow, I went to HD and rented a RC30, a Bobcat like machine only smaller, a skidsteer. Had 20 dropped in August to put inside foundation and did the same thing, actually wasn't enough dirt. Depending on the answers I get here, I may have even more delivered.It's a sand/ small stone mix so I don't have to compact it, sort of does it itself. You say 1:12, do you mean 1" per foot?

   As to the growing stuff question, this is mostly under a porch, the back of the house will have an outside shower, 2 in fact, and washing machine, only one side will be planted and yes I'll wait till spring. I plan on bringing in topsoil and seeding, couple of flower beds, you know the drill.ThanksKevinPS What part of NJ, I'm in Sayreville.

   Edited 11/17/2007 11:26 pm ET by dockelly

2. 
   VaTom | Nov 18, 2007 04:04pm | #3

   The faster water moves, the more work it will do (erosion).  A tradeoff about erosion and drainage but there's wide latitude for success.  If you're sloping gradually and it looks good to your eye (blends with the rest of the lot) you're probably fine.

   I just moved a few yards of subsoil and better to create a bulb bed here.  Let's see, 2 yds/bucket (big bucket)...  10 yds total.  Slope is 50% (this ain't suburbia).  Bad idea to do this when we might get a heavy rain.  Which is one of the reasons I did it now.  Snow's not an issue.  Should be fine by heavy rain time.  Good seed bank in the soil here.   

   PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!

3. 
   Matt | Nov 18, 2007 04:53pm | #4

   To Jeff's recomdation of 1:12 I'll add that you should have that for 10' out from the foundation.

1. 
   dockelly | Nov 18, 2007 05:41pm | #7

   Hey MattJeff didn't read my response so I'll ask you, 1:12 is 1 inch drop every 12 inches? Also I'm only 5 1/2 feet from neighbors lot on left, can't go out 10 ft, does this change the pitch or just start lower on foundation on that side.

   Edited 11/18/2007 9:43 am ET by dockelly

1. 
   Jeff_Clarke | Nov 18, 2007 07:12pm | #8

   Yes 1" in 12" minumum

   Jeff (I don't LIVE here ;o)  )

   Edited 11/18/2007 11:26 am ET by Jeff_Clarke

2. 
   Matt | Nov 18, 2007 07:49pm | #9

   The 10' is a guideline - a goal, and if you are only 5.5' from the neighbor (property line I assume), obviously you can't grade their yard.   When you said >> does this change the pitch or just start lower on foundation on that side. <<I don't know what your intent is by "start lower on the foundation"  since I don't have the overall picture of the lot, but If you are saying can you make it steeper than 1:12 the answer is yes.  If it is gonna be grass though, keep in mind that it is difficult to mow or otherwise maintain areas that are steeper than 1:4 (max).

1. 
   dockelly | Nov 18, 2007 11:56pm | #10

   thanks

4. 
   john7g | Nov 18, 2007 05:00pm | #5

   and a minimum of 6" between bottom of sill plate and soil. Better to be closer to 12"

1. 
   dockelly | Nov 18, 2007 05:39pm | #6

   no problem there, probably 20 to 24" to soil.