How to Build Up Backyard for Drainage

The surface and topography of the yard around a home plays an important part in providing drainage. Proper drainage helps to remove rainwater and snow melt from the area immediately around the home, where moisture may seep into the basement or crawlspace if water is allowed to stand near the foundation. Building up, or increasing the surface level of the yard, may be necessary to create the necessary drainage to prevent standing water.

Topsoil
Carpenter's string
String level
Tape measure
Shovel
Rake
Wheelbarrow

Instructions

- 1
  Place a carpenter’s string from the ground level at the foundation of the home to the edge of the backyard. Hang a string level on the string, and adjust the height of the string at the edge of the backyard until the string is level.
- 2
  Measure the distance between the string and the ground at various points along the string. The ground should be at least 6 inches below the string at a point 10 feet from the foundation. The ground should slope away from the building at a 1-percent rate, or 1-1/4 inches per 10 feet thereafter.
- 3
  Purchase and haul in topsoil as needed to raise the area closest to the building. This material is commonly sold by the cubic yard and is delivered by truck. The contractor may also level the dirt with a small loader.
- 4
  Level the dirt with a shovel and wheelbarrow if this service is not provided by the contractor. Lightly pack the soil by dragging a heavy wood beam behind a garden tractor. Rake the soil smooth.
- 5
  Check the slope of the backyard with the string and level to determine whether you’ve created enough slope.

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