How to Slope Stakes With a Handheld Level

The grading around your home's property is important to keeping water out of its basement. The amount of slope required varies due to local climate and soil conditions, and is determined by the building's designer. Slope stakes are used during the grading of the property to calculate if the ground is sloped correctly. Setting these stakes is ideally done with a laser lever and ground rod for a high level of accuracy. A hand level can substitute in situations where that accuracy is as not as important.

Construction plans
Hammer
Wood stakes
Measuring tape
String
Four-foot level

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the amount of slope needed for the grade by looking at the building plans. This information is commonly given in inches per horizontal foot. Multiply the inches per foot by the length of the slope in feet. The result is the total drop in inches the slope is required to be.
- 2
  Hammer a wood stake into the ground at the top of the slope. Use a level on the side of the stake to ensure it is as straight as possible.
- 3
  Measure from that stake the distance required for the slope and hammer a second stake in this location.
- 4
  Tie a string to the stake at the top of the slope and pull it over to the second stake.
- 5
  Hold a 4-foot level on the string while an assistant adjusts the height of the string on the second stake. When the level's bubble is between the two marked lines, tie the string to the second stake. Double check that the string is level.
- 6
  Measure from the string, down toward the ground on the lower stake, the distance calculated in the first step for the slope. Move the string down to this measurement. The slope of the ground must be parallel to the string to meet the construction plans.

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