Question
Sean, how do I go about measuring for a grade of the yard without survey tools.  Isn't there a method I could use with string and stakes?  I live in central FL with sandy soil. My property slopes towards the house from the north and on one side towards the house from the east.  The soil is too close to the flooring level on these two sides (house was not build up enough).  I want to grade our yard and I have read most of your answers concerning grading.  But how can I actually accomplish this to specs?  How do I check the measurements, i.e., slope of 1/4" per 1'?  I am thinking that simply a swale might be best.  Also, how many inches should the soil be below floor level?  We have a framed brick home.

Answer
Pat:
Yes you can do this easily. All you need is a 3' or 4' level, duct tape, shovels, wheel barrel, and a 8' 2x4.
You want the land on all sides of your home to slope away from your foundation and you never want any dirt piled higher than you Finished Floor Elevation (FFE) unless the wall was designed for it with special water proofing. In general the FFE of your home should be 6 to 12" minimum above the exterior grade. However, I have seen it a lot less, especially on slab houses in Florida where it is often only a few inches lower.

First assume you need a MINIMUM of 1/4" per foot fall in the grade. So if you use a 4' level you will need the finished grade to slope 1"(4 x 1/4") in 4'. Cut a small piece of wood 1" wide by 1" thick. Now, set your 2x4 on edge. Make sure you used a very straight and dry 2x4 with no curves or bends. Set the small 1" thick wood on the edge of the 2x4 about two feet from the center of the 2x4.
Now rest one end of the level on the 2x4 with the level in the vertical position so you can read the level correctly with the grade. Set the other end on top of the 1" thick wood at the very end of the level. Now tape the level to the 2x4 in this position. By holding the hole contraption so the level reads "level" you are setting the board below it at a 1/4" per foot slope.

If you set this on the ground and the ground does not read level you will need to dig out soil on the high side till it does. You should try to make the soil around your house slope for at least 8 to 10 feet from the house, so one 2x4x8' length is perfect. At the end of this slope you may dig a slight shallow swale to direct water around the house after it runs across your newly created slope.

You may also use area drains in shallow depressions if swales will look ugly. Keep in mind swales should be shallow and wide or they become ugly ditches.

Sean J Murphy, LA,ISA, LEED AP
Please check out my blogs and articles on landscape topics like this on my websites.
http://www.seanjmurphy.com
http://amenityarchitects.com