To avoid these issues, it's important to know how to level a yard effectively.
Importance of Having a Level Yard While leveling the yard may not seem urgent, an uneven yard can cause significant problems, such as flooding or damage to the foundation.
An uneven yard can lead to standing water issues, pest problems, and can even prevent the installation of new sewer lines, water lines, or a pool.
How to Test If a Yard Is Uneven Simply looking out the window may not be enough to determine if your yard is uneven.
To test the yard's grade, you'll need a hammer, a level, two 3-foot wooden stakes, and about 100 feet of string.
Then, measure 100 feet away from the house and drive the second stake a foot into the soil. Tie the string to the first stake at ground level and run it to the second stake.
Ideally, the ground should slope away from the house at about 1/4-inch per foot, or 2 feet over 100 feet. The severity of yard unevenness can range from mild to severe:
– Mild unevenness: Shallow depressions or bumps less than 1 inch in depth can be resolved by treating the lawn with a topdressing mix.
Moderate unevenness: Small divots and depressions, including bumps or dips measuring 1 to 3 inches, can be fixed by lifting the grass in affected areas, adding or removing soil as needed
Severe unevenness: Substantial grading problems with depressions and bumps often exceeding 3 inches in height or depth may require professional landscaping
Before Leveling the Yard Planning the right time to level the yard is crucial. Avoid leveling the yard during periods of high rain or precipitation, as this can increase the risk of soil erosion.
The best time to level the yard is in late spring or early fall. Use a soil test kit to determine the soil type, which will help you choose the best topsoil mix
Before leveling, slightly dampen the soil by watering the lawn. This makes it easier to lift and manipulate the soil with a shovel or rake.