How to Grade Soil Around Foundations
- 1). Put a 10-foot board against one wall of the foundation so that one end of the board sits flush against the wall and the board sticks straight out from the wall. Set a 10-foot level on top of the wood board and lift the end of the board that sits away from the wall up until the bubble in the center panel of the level shows that the level sits evenly.
- 2). Place a measuring stick on the ground by the end of the level that you lifted so that the measuring stick sits on the ground and touches the end of the board. Note the measurement between the ground and the bottom of the board. This is the amount of slope in the ground at this point.
- 3). Take several additional measurements of the foundation, with at least one measurement on each side of the structure, to determine the slope in each location. According to Tim Carter of "Ask the Builder," most building codes require at least a 6-inch slope at this 10-foot distance, but any additional slope helps in directing water away from your home.
- 4). Dump topsoil at the base of the foundation in one area where the slope does not meet the minimum 6 inches. Smooth the topsoil with a rake to make the soil as even as possible against the foundation. Add additional topsoil and rake it so that is makes a slight slope away from the foundation.
- 5). Take a measurement using the same method as in Steps 1 and 2, once the soil is in place, to determine if you have created a sufficient slope away from the foundation. Repeat the process of adding topsoil to every area around the foundation where you need to increase the slope.
