What is Landscape Grading?

Landscape grading is the process of leveling land around a residential or commercial property. There are many benefits to landscape grading. Most notably, it ensures water properly runs off the lawn or goes into the underlying soil, preventing concerns such as soil erosion or damage to the home structure or foundation.

Although it should take place when the property is being constructed, it is often something that gets overlooked. Additionally, there might be a need for a new landscape grading if soil erosion occurs or if the project was not done properly the first time.

By learning more about what landscape grading is, what the process involves and why home and business owners should consider it for their residential and commercial property, they can decide for themselves whether or not they should call a professional landscaping company for assistance grading the lawn. The following is an overview of landscape grading.

Why Do I Need Landscape Grading?

Landscape grading is an important step that should ideally take place while the property is being constructed. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. For those who do not have level landscaping, landscape grading is strongly encouraged. This is because there is a range of potential concerns that can develop from unlevel land around your home or commercial property, including the following:

• Soil erosion
• Foundation concerns
• Structural damage
• Increase in mosquitoes
• Standing water

Soil erosion refers to the wearing away of topsoil. It can often result if landscape grading is not performed. If uneven landscaping leads to runoff of water towards your home or commercial property, then the property might be at risk of damage. Issues such as damage to the foundation or water entering into the basement through cracks and gaps in the foundation and exterior walls may result.

Also, an often overlooked concern of uneven landscape grading is an increase in mosquitoes. Standing water can attract mosquitoes, which can increase the risk of disease when outside your property.

Fortunately, there is an easy solution to these concerns. Landscape grading can ensure the ground is level and water properly enters into the soil after heavy rainfall.

How is Landscape Grading Done?

Landscape grading is sometimes possible for DIY homeowners. However, it does require a significant time investment, a variety of landscape grading tools and knowledge on how to properly do the job. For those who do not have the time or resources available to do the job correctly, hiring a professional landscaping company to do the job is likely the best solution.

With that said, homeowners can make an informed decision as to whether or not they should attempt their own landscape grading by understanding what the process involves. Each grading project is unique and the steps involved may vary, but the process generally involves the following:

• Identify utility lines and drainage
• Dig and level the land
• Rake and smooth the grade
• Plant new grass or lay sod

Some areas may require a digging permit before beginning landscape grading. Be sure to check your local requirements before beginning the project. It is also important to properly prepare by marking utility lines and determining the drainage area.

The grading can then begin by digging approximately eight inches of topsoil and leveling the area. It is also important to have a slight downward slope towards the drainage area to avoid standing water. After smoothing the new topsoil, the process should conclude with the planting of new grass or sod to replace the grass that was lost during the grading process.

What Materials are Used in Landscape Grading?

The materials needed for landscape grading varies depending on the specifics of the project. A smaller project may not require an extensive variety of grading tools, but a more complex and larger job likely requires the need for more powerful equipment and tools. For most projects, the tools that are required include:

• Bulldozer
• Rake
• Shovel
• Quality soil

All you will need for machinery is a bulldozer, although something smaller may work as well for smaller projects. Additionally, a shovel might be needed to ensure the perfect amount of soil is removed. A rake is needed to properly level the soil before placing the sod.

It might be possible to place the topsoil back after landscape grading, but it may result in unreliable results and increase the risk of soil erosion. Instead, consider purchasing quality soil during the grading process.

What to Expect After Landscape Grading?

There should not be any concerns with the levelness of your lawn upon the completion of the landscape grading project. If issues such as soil erosion or standing water develop, you may need to call a professional landscaping company for advice.

If the grading is successful, then water should run off away from the home or properly run into the soil. Home and business owners should have an easier time seeing flowers properly bloom on their lawn, so those who are interested in a home garden can enjoy a better opportunity to grow things they love as well.

With the right soil, the results of landscape grading can last for years. It can offer practical benefits to your lawn as well as improve the curbside appeal of your property. This can make a home more attractive to prospective buyers.

Reach Out to Dirt Connections

Dirt Connections offers materials that are needed during the landscape grading process. If you are a homeowner or landscaping company that needs filling materials to complete the process, we encourage you to reach out to our team today. We can provide additional insights on the materials you may need for your specific project and help you determine which steps need to take place in the process.

You can reach our friendly team today by phone, and we respond to all who are interested promptly. Our team is more than happy to answer any questions you have in regard to your landscape grading needs or other construction needs and help ensure you have all of the materials you need.