The Importance Of Yard Leveling
You probably already know that a level yard is essential for maintaining a beautiful landscape. Stability is important for your outdoor landscaping. You can also avoid costly foundation repairs and serious damage with a landscape grading.
The Slope
To allow rainwater to drain slowly away from your foundation, your lawn should slope towards your home. Rainwater that runs towards your home will collect around the foundation walls. This can lead to moisture buildup. It can weaken your foundation. This could even lead to more serious problems. Water can seep through the foundation walls, filling your basement.
Moisture can seep into wooden floor joists if your home doesn’t have a basement, or is constructed on a slab. The water can cause joist rot. Your home’s structural integrity could be at risk.
These problems are not the end. Poor leveling can also cause damage to your trees and gardens.
Also, there are potential water problems. This is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. These are pests, but they also carry diseases.
There Are Many Reasons To Level Your Yard
Landscape grading is required in areas where bumps or lumps have been created, even if your yard has been leveled in the past
- Tree or brush removal
- sewer installation
- Tree root growth
- Animals can cause damage
- Installation of new features (e.g. a pool).
- Settling
- Drainage issues
You will find these signs over time that you should level your yard.
How Do I Know If There Is A Problem With Landscape Grading?
If you are having problems with yard leveling, the easiest way to determine if there is standing water. Proper drainage is a sign that there is a problem.
You can measure the slope of your yard to get more precise landscape grading. These tools are needed to do this:
- Hammer
- Two stakes 3 feet long
- String length 100+ feet
- Carpenter’s level
Landscape Grading
For every foot from your home, the ground should slope approximately 1/4 inch down. This is approximately 2 ft. for every 100 ft. This means that the ground at 100 feet should be 2 ft lower than the ground at your home’s base.
A 3 ft. wood stake can be used to accurately measure the slope of your yard’s landscape grading. It should be driven 1 ft deep into the soil at the base of your house. Measure a distance of 100 feet from your house. Place a third stake 3 feet long in the soil.
Attach a string to the stake at ground level by the house. The string should be run to the second stake. The string level should be attached to the stake. This can be done with a carpenter’s level.
Measure the distance between the ground and the string at the far stake using the string attached to them both.
You may be able to do the leveling yourself if you can measure a drop of 3 inches to 2ft. If the yard slopes up or drops below that level, it is recommended to hire a professional.
You might consider building terraces or planting ground cover for steep slopes.
Conclusions About Landscape Grading
It is important to level your yard to protect your landscape and home from damage and costly repairs.
Greenbar Excavation has been providing quality excavation services to central Oregon for over ten years. We understand the importance of knowing your project. Greenbar Excavation, fully licensed, insured, and accredited Excavation company based in Prineville, Oregon. Greenbar Excavation is one of the top Excavation companies in Central Oregon. Don’t look any further, go with the company with your best interest in mind! We offer a multitude of services which include:
- Septic pumping
- Drainage Services
- Landscape prep
- Site grading
- Foundation excavation
- Concrete/ prep finish
- Utility trenching
- Driveways
- Septic tank replacement
- Complete septic system replacement
Call us today with any questions about landscape grading services and check out our 5-star reviews!