I’m regrading my sideyard, where there’s 12′ between the house and the driveway. First question is how much grade should I try to achieve. I can slope it about 3/4 of an inch per foot, and it will go right up to the bottom edge basement windows. If need be, I suppose I could build a little window well to increase the grade.
Second question is what is an easy way to accurately carve the grade. I was thinking of coupling two pieces of black pipe to make a 12′ length, and then using a piece of wood to screed in between two 12 footers like concrete guys do. Any better ideas? I imagine pros can just eyeball it, but I’m not there.
Replies
You definitely want to keep the water and soil away from that window. If it has a wood frame it will rot out before you know it. Even with a window well you will have problems with water getting into the well.
If you have the room try putting in a swell about half way between the driveway and the house. This will give you more sloop. Just be sure that the swell can drain off as well. If you make it with a nice curved bottom to it, you will hardly know that it is there when you walk across it. It will also make it easier to mow.
The sloop that you are talking about would work, but slowly. If you get a rain like a cow pissing on a flat rock, it wouldn't be able to keep up.
The major rule in horizontal construction is design and build the drainage to handle the worst of rains for that area. Any thing less then that is asking for trouble. It is a shame that so many houses and developments have been built totally ignoring that rule.
Let us know what you decide on doing. Post us some pictures showing us the before,during and after when you do this project.
Dane
I will always be a beginner as I am always learning.
The lowest wooden part of your building, whether it's framing (mudsill) or siding/trim, should be at least 6" above grade, preferably more. If you can't do that and get the slope you want, do as Dane suggests and grade downhill from both the house and the drive, cutting in a low point in the middle... a sort of very shallow creek.
3/4" per foot sounds pretty good to me, especially if you have gutters, downspouts, and subdrains, and your soil is not heavy clay. How well does water soak in when it rains?
Black pipe is available in 20 or 21 foot lengths... no need for a coupling.
Edited 4/22/2005 11:32 pm ET by davidmeiland