How to Build a Slope Away From a Home

Lay a flat 10-foot board or a 10-foot metal rod on the ground so that one end of the board or rod touches the foundation of the home and the opposite end of the board or rod lies straight out from the house. Put a level on top of the board or metal rod to see how the board sits on the ground. Lift up the end of the board that sits away from the house until the board or rod is level, and measure the distance to the ground.

Pile fill dirt against the foundation of your home until the dirt is approximately the height that you want for the beginning of your slope, using the measurement that you took in Step 1 as a guide. If the measurement showed that you had 3 inches of slope, for instance, and you want 6 inches of slope, pile 3 inches of dirt on top of the ground at the foundation. Pack the dirt down with your hands to make sure it stays in place.

Put the board or rod back in place where it juts out from the foundation of the house, set the level on top of it and lift the board or rod until it sits level. Measure the distance to the ground again.

Pour more fill dirt over the dirt that you piled by the foundation of the house. Allow the dirt to slide down naturally to create a gentle slope away from the house.

Check the slope that you created at the foundation every 1 to 2 feet around your home once you have completed the slope around the entire foundation. Lay the board or rod that you used to measure initially so that it sticks out from the house and lies directly on the ground. If you notice any spots where the ground dips down and doesn't touch the board or rod, add more dirt to fill in each hole.