How to Grade & Reslope for Concrete

Grading and sloping an area in preparation for pouring concrete will ensure that water won't puddle and that it will flow downhill and away from buildings. Sloping requirements are often determined by local building codes, depending upon the purpose of the concrete and where it's located. Talk to your governing officials to find out the requirements of your local building codes before beginning the construction process.

Stakes
Tape measure
Twine
Shovel
Gravel
Rake
Dirt
Tamper

Instructions

- 1
  Install stakes that start where the concrete will begin and end. Space the stakes out every 10 feet.
- 2
  Wrap twine around the stakes so you have a twine line that extends the length of the stakes. Measure and adjust the twine so it slopes down 6 inches every 10 feet.
- 3
  Dig out the soil where the concrete will be poured. Dig down 6 inches plus the thickness of the concrete, keeping the slope at 6 inches per 10 feet.
- 4
  Add 4 inches of gravel to your excavated land and measure and grade it so it's sloping 6 inches every 10 feet.
- 5
  Bring in 2 inches of dirt, and measure and grade it so it's sloped 6 inches for every 10 feet. Tamp the dirt with a hand-held tamper or with a lawn roller. You can rent a roller at your local home improvement center. Once the top layer is tamped, you're ready to pour your concrete.

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