17
votes
Plastic shed base - How to level soil?
Set stakes around the proposed site for the shed, attach string lines/wires, and make sure they are level. Then measure the distance between the string line and the ground periodically, and make sure ...
- 3,362
17
votes
Can I use logs and stumps as driveway fill?
Bad idea - as it rots, it will become spongy and sink as you drive on it, and become very un-level.
- 201k
5
votes
Soil grade is above foundation
How significant of a problem is having the grade above the foundation line?
Soil above the foundation means that critters (rodents, worms, reptiles, etc.), bacteria, molds, and water can easily ...
- 12.3k
4
votes
How often do I need to regrade the ground around my house?
Regrading isn't typically a recurrent necessity. It may be needed shortly after a home is built, and maybe again a few years later. However, eventually the soil becomes compacted to the same degree ...
- 129k
3
votes
Questions about the possibility of increasing the grade on the soil just right around my external walls
Instead of inviting salesmen, get a structural engineer or architect with the experience and work out what needs doing.
Look at the slopes and also if there are underground springs, poor drainage or ...
- 26.2k
3
votes
Exposed foundation and large egress well - need help
Something does not add up, here.
If the grade is 6" up, the window-well should be a few inches above grade, not several feet above grade.
"Large amount of exposed foundation" is not ...
- 201k
3
votes
Accepted
Building a free-standing wall on top of a retaining wall
I do not think you could rest a second unsupported wall on top of a retaining wall without long reinforcement members penetrating both the retaining wall and the wall on top. Otherwise the upper wall ...
- 20.9k
3
votes
Accepted
How often do I need to regrade the ground around my house?
Only re-grade if you're getting water intrusion or even a damp musty basement condition. If neither of those yet, then don't do anything. Otherwise, re-grading is a good deal of work, but quite simple ...
- 10.3k
3
votes
Need to fix the grading of my backyard: remove the sod or turn it over?
I have not had a good experience with tilling an existing lawn. The existing grass does not get shredded completely but will form lumps that make for an uneven surface. Depending on how much top soil ...
- 318
3
votes
Plastic shed base - How to level soil?
When I did this a few years ago I used an old fence post (that wasn't warped) and a large spirit level. I would rest the fence post flat on the ground and use the spirit level to check it really was ...
- 131
3
votes
Accepted
How can I keep water out of this window?
I see a mini retaining wall around that window for a pit but it's been filled with stones (and probably soil). Whoever did the grading job probably didn't understand why the pit was there and how to ...
- 11.6k
3
votes
Refilling gravel under slab on a downhill grade
You don't replace the gravel, you use a flowable fill (kinda like grout). I would do it in stages with wood forms to keep the flowfill in place (vertically flush with the slab), then backfill the ...
- 2,707
2
votes
Accepted
Is it okay to have brick below grade?
Many, many houses have brick foundations, or brick-over-fieldstone as mine does. If it was built properly, and maintained properly, it's fine; mine (with a real basement, brick down to about 6' below ...
- 27.5k
2
votes
Using dirt to grade away from foundation. Good idea or not?
I live in a very wet climate and that is exactly what we do. Often, the level of the dirt on the outside of the foundation is higher than the level of the dirt on the inside. This is acceptable as ...
- 23.1k
2
votes
Dirt Driveway Repairs
A pile of gravel will be easy to move (read: Scoop into something). If you have any larger rocks then it gets hard to shovel. I would just request they send a truck with a dump bed that you can adjust ...
- 1,421
2
votes
Concrete patio slopes toward garage causing water seepage
One possible solution is to cut the concrete and dig a trench for a drain between the patio and the door. As long as the water isn't too much to overflow that drain, it will work.
But if your water ...
- 23.1k
2
votes
Grading under deck
You pretty much have to use earth to correct the slope.
Make a plan of the area and figure out which bits are too high and which are too low (you can measure down from the boards) then go under there ...
- 19k
2
votes
Exposed foundation and large egress well - need help
I don't think this window exit can be classified as "egress" except for the emergency exit.
The building code (IBC) defines an egress as "an unobstructed path to leave buildings, ...
- 3,362
2
votes
Exposed foundation and large egress well - need help
It need not be a permanent eyesore because you can plant tall shrubs around the base of the foundation. You could paint the metal well to match the foundation.
Alternatively, you could fill to raise ...
- 20.9k
2
votes
What are the regrading maintenance materials & technique for around home's perimeter?
You don't need 1" per foot (8% grade) - 1/8-1/4" per foot (1-2%) is plenty to move surface water away from the house. That is also less likely to erode than that much steeper slope.
Mulch on ...
- 201k
1
vote
How can I protect my foundation when removing old retaining walls and regrading?
I would probably remove the deck first.
After the deck is disassembled, then start the excavation, it will be much easier and safer.
You might find out it is less work to remove the deck compared to ...
- 102k
1
vote
Foundation water seepage?
If diverting the rainwater away from the house doe not stop this problem, potentially the problem is caused by the fluctuation of the groundwater, or there is a spring near that corner of the house, ...
- 3,362
1
vote
Grading soft white sandy soil in central Florida with only a Bobcat?
Pushing soil requires a lot of traction. It is neither accident nor coincidence that the dozer blade demo in the video uses a compact track loader rather than a skid steer (wheeled) loader.
It seems ...
- 27.9k
1
vote
Grading soft white sandy soil in central Florida with only a Bobcat?
A bobcat can be used for grading. In my horse turnouts I use a bobcat as they are small enough to move around where I can’t get my big tractor in. I pull backwards this fills the tire trenches where ...
- 102k
1
vote
Fixing grade on concrete garage floor?
Whoever told you that mudjacking isn't done for large slabs was just misinformed, incompetent or very wrong. Mudjacking works exceptionally well on large slabs. You do have to get a competent company ...
- 126
1
vote
Fixing grade on concrete garage floor?
The cheapest solution is to cut a weep path that runs from the pooling point out the door, as long as you start shallow and keep increasing the depth the water would flow out. Depending on what the ...
- 13.4k
1
vote
Can I break up stones and overlay soil to grow lawn?
I don't think that expanding foam stuff will split granite. (Looks like granite in your pix)
To directly answer your question: If you can break up the rocks, then go for it. I think you need 6" to ...
- 3,644
1
vote
Exterior grading where brick meets stone foundation
Houses that I am familiar with have vents ( no mortar) in the bottom course of brick , so the soil must be below the brick . I like to keep the soil more than 2 inches below the brick to look for ...
- 8,271
1
vote
Accepted
Back Yard Hill Drainage Issues
I would add the new drain at the edge of the grass up to the right (not two close to the trees) and continue it to the original drains. You can tell the original drain is working because it is mushie ...
- 102k
1
vote
Should I grade my property or put dirt against chain link fence?
I would shave down the high side (left side in picture) from a distance of 2 or ft and use that to fill under the fence. Assuming the fence is on the property line this would transfer some soil to ...
- 20.9k
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