DIY Grading for Pavestone

Spray paint the outline of the intended patio area.

Hammer a 1-foot wood stake every four feet along the side of the patio area in the direction away from the house.

Set a level on the 2-inch side of a 5-foot long 2-by-4-inch board. Place the 2-by-4-inch board on the ground with the 4-inch side against the first and second stake. Establish a level plane between the two stakes, drawing a pencil line at the level point on each stake.

Repeat the same process between the second and third stake, placing the top edge of the 2-by-4-inch board at the pencil line on the second stake as the starting point, thus ensuring level consistency. Continue this process until the level line has been drawn on all stakes.

Make a pencil mark 1/2-inch below the level line, starting with the second stake. Move to the third stake and make a mark 1-inch below the level line. Continue figuring in an additional 1/2-inch for each successive stake, marking each one until you reach the end. You are determining the grading slope for proper patio drainage.

Measure the distance between the ground and the level line on the first stake. Record this measurement in inches.

At each successive stake, starting at the second stake, remove the soil to the depth equal to the recorded Step 7 measurement until you reach the end of the stakes, using a round point shovel and wheelbarrow. Use the adjusted pencil line on each stake as the top of the measurement and dig to the depth of the recorded measurement.

Move the dirt around, using a rake and round point shovel, until you create a semi-smooth graded drainage slope from the first to last stake.

Rake the area until the slope is smooth. Using a level, ensure that the ground is horizontally, uniformly even across the slightly graded slope from one patio side to the other side.