How to Grade a Yard Walkout Basement

Pound a wooden stake into the ground beside one of the corners of the basement, using a hammer. Leave at least 12 inches above the ground. Pound in a second stake at the fence or property line. Leave a stake height of at least 12 inches above the ground. Repeat the process on the opposite side of the basement walkout.

Attach string lines between the stakes by the basement wall and the stakes at the fence or property line. Do not connect the string lines between the stakes at the property line. Make the string lines level using a level as a reference. Pound a stake further in to adjust height until all strings are level.

Measure the angle of the slope to determine the pitch of the ground. Place a 12-inch speed square on the ground where it fits beneath the string. Use a short level, held perfectly horizontal, to read the angle on the speed square. The measurement is up if the yard is sloping away from the basement and down if the yard slopes toward the basement. For water to properly drain, maintain a slope of 1/4 inch per foot.

Rent a skip loader. To make minor grade adjustments, use a landscape rake. Ask a rental company to drop off heavy equipment, and get a quick tutorial on how to operate it.

Proceed to one end of the staked area, and position the bucket flat against the ground. Move forward, breaking up the surface of the ground. Dump extra dirt in one location for ease in cleanup later.

Measure the depth of the digging from the string line, using a tape measure or yardstick. Raise or lower the equipment bucket accordingly as you move forward. Keep raising the bucket as you approach the structure. If you have a sidewalk, it determines the depth of the slope. Repeat the dragging and digging process throughout the marked area.

Drag the skip loader bucket, starting as close to the house as you are comfortable with, to evenly flatten the ground. If any bumps exist, drag across the area again or use a landscaping rake to even it out. Check your progress often, and continue grading until you are satisfied with the slope of the yard.

Remove a stake from the graded section, and move it it to another corner of the house. Repeat Step 1 to define a new working area, if necessary. Repeat the grading process until the walkout and yard is completely reshaped. If dirt must be added to any area, use the soil that has been dumped in the selected location.

Work the top soil layer with the landscape rake. Remove high spots in any area. Survey the walkout and adjust undulations with the rake. Visually compare the soil layer with the string lines to ensure heights are proper, then remove stakes and reel up your line.