Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Whats the easiest way grade an area 14'X17' ?
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JETMECH727
07-12-05, 03:12 PM
I have an area of dirt i'd like to grade with about a 1" grade away from the house. Seeing as i'm not to well versed in this area, I'd like to know what the easiest way is to smooth out that much dirt and make sure it's level and graded?
Thanks
Thanks
lefty
07-12-05, 07:38 PM
1" of grade in how far??
An inch in an inch is a 45 degree slope. An inch in 100 yards is pretty much level!!
The "easiest way" to dig it depends on the soil. Soft loam can be done with a rake. I'm dealing with one at the moment that will require a JACKHAMMER to get the dirt out of. (The 10 HP hydraulic rototiller was just bouncing off of it!!)
An inch in an inch is a 45 degree slope. An inch in 100 yards is pretty much level!!
The "easiest way" to dig it depends on the soil. Soft loam can be done with a rake. I'm dealing with one at the moment that will require a JACKHAMMER to get the dirt out of. (The 10 HP hydraulic rototiller was just bouncing off of it!!)
marksr
07-12-05, 07:51 PM
Even if you had a tractor you would still need a rake to finish. After you rough grade the area you can take a level on a long 2X4 and make sure the grade is all going the right direction.
The only easy way is to let someone else use the shovel and rake :)
The only easy way is to let someone else use the shovel and rake :)
JETMECH727
07-12-05, 08:18 PM
1" of grade in how far??
An inch in an inch is a 45 degree slope. An inch in 100 yards is pretty much level!!
The "easiest way" to dig it depends on the soil. Soft loam can be done with a rake. I'm dealing with one at the moment that will require a JACKHAMMER to get the dirt out of. (The 10 HP hydraulic rototiller was just bouncing off of it!!)
Im grading to a distance of 14 feet.
An inch in an inch is a 45 degree slope. An inch in 100 yards is pretty much level!!
The "easiest way" to dig it depends on the soil. Soft loam can be done with a rake. I'm dealing with one at the moment that will require a JACKHAMMER to get the dirt out of. (The 10 HP hydraulic rototiller was just bouncing off of it!!)
Im grading to a distance of 14 feet.
lefty
07-12-05, 09:59 PM
OH!!
An inch in 14' isn't enough.
Try 1/4" per foot. In 14', that's 3-1/2" of fall.
I have to agree with marksr -- the "easy" way is to let somebody else do it!!
An inch in 14' isn't enough.
Try 1/4" per foot. In 14', that's 3-1/2" of fall.
I have to agree with marksr -- the "easy" way is to let somebody else do it!!
Habs11
07-15-05, 06:55 AM
OH!!
An inch in 14' isn't enough.
Try 1/4" per foot. In 14', that's 3-1/2" of fall.
I have to agree with marksr -- the "easy" way is to let somebody else do it!!
agreed if you are grading away from a home.
i picked up a laser level for $30 at HD for my patio project to help me shoot the grade - the name brand is johnson (or something close to that)
An inch in 14' isn't enough.
Try 1/4" per foot. In 14', that's 3-1/2" of fall.
I have to agree with marksr -- the "easy" way is to let somebody else do it!!
agreed if you are grading away from a home.
i picked up a laser level for $30 at HD for my patio project to help me shoot the grade - the name brand is johnson (or something close to that)
marksr
07-15-05, 07:07 AM
Habs11
Even when a home is built at a base of a hill it should still be graded away from the house [even if it is only the last few feet] It is better for water to run a few feet from the home than along the wall [where it can seep down and possibly find its way through the wall. :)
Even when a home is built at a base of a hill it should still be graded away from the house [even if it is only the last few feet] It is better for water to run a few feet from the home than along the wall [where it can seep down and possibly find its way through the wall. :)
Habs11
07-15-05, 07:13 AM
Habs11
Even when a home is built at a base of a hill it should still be graded away from the house [even if it is only the last few feet] It is better for water to run a few feet from the home than along the wall [where it can seep down and possibly find its way through the wall. :)
agreed again, not sure why you thought otherwise.
Even when a home is built at a base of a hill it should still be graded away from the house [even if it is only the last few feet] It is better for water to run a few feet from the home than along the wall [where it can seep down and possibly find its way through the wall. :)
agreed again, not sure why you thought otherwise.