What To Know About Leveling a Yard

Heavy rains, burrowing critters, and ever-changing soil can make a perfectly flat yard seem unattainable. Yet, for any homeowner who cherishes their home and its surrounding landscape, leveling a yard isn’t just about aesthetics; it is about protection.

Water runoff on uneven ground saturates plants in low spots while depriving those up high of the hydration they need. The subsequent erosion makes these problems worse. Over time, the home itself can be threatened and undermined if water collects around the foundation.

To be clear, creating a slope away from the foundation and leveling the rest of the yard are different processes. Few homes are built on perfectly flat plots of land, and leveling doesn’t necessarily involve correcting naturally occurring slopes. In a broad sense, leveling means getting rid of micro-depressions, hills, and gullies that allow water to collect in some places and not others.

The benefits of leveling a yard, practical and aesthetic, include

• It makes the grass easier to mow.
• It also improves drainage and prevents erosion.
• Enhancing the appearance of your yard is another benefit.
• You can avert tripping incidents.

The company Canamek shares, “Land leveling and land grading are distinct land preparation techniques, each serving unique purposes and possessing different characteristics. Understanding the key differences between these two processes is crucial for selecting the appropriate method for a specific project.”

Is my yard level?

Even a yard that appears perfectly flat may need a little leveling. Signs that your yard needs leveling can be obvious or subtle and may include

• Muddy areas or standing water after a rainstorm are signs that your yard needs leveling.
• Some parts of your lawn are brown while others are lush and green.
• Weed patches frequently appear in low-lying areas that retain water.
• Small hills and depressions cast visible shade when the sun is low.

What can happen if my yard is not level?

If your yard isn’t level, chances are the problem will worsen over time if you don’t address it.

• Runoff exacerbates erosion. Standing water in depressions compacts the soil underneath, making it unable to support grass or other plants. It is also a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
• When the ground around the perimeter of your house isn’t properly graded to direct water runoff away from the foundation, water can seep into the basement or otherwise compromise the foundation. That leads to structural damage, necessitating expensive repairs.
• Burrowing gophers and moles, Even after eliminating burrowing gophers and moles, these animals can still pose challenges to leveling the ground. The hills they make around exit holes are formidable obstacles for your lawnmower. And when their tunnels collapse—as they often do—it is hard to walk, let alone grow anything. Silt from other parts of your yard gradually fills in those tunnels, resulting in a rolling moonscape where your manicured lawn used to be.

Is leveling my yard DIY-able, or do I need a pro?

You can use shovels and wheelbarrows or earth-moving equipment to level your yard. Without heavy equipment, which typically costs $100 per hour to rent, it can cost from $50 to $100 per hour to have your yard professionally leveled. Add to that the cost of any dirt you have trucked in.

In most cases you won’t need the heavy equipment, although it doesn’t hurt to have a helper or two, and they typically charge from $25 to $35 per hour. If all you need to do is spot-level or fill in a sinkhole, you can do that yourself with a wheelbarrow, shovel, and rake.

The Home Depot suggests, “Before beginning the leveling process, assess the yard and identify areas that need attention. Look for uneven spots, depressions, and bumps. Additionally, consider the overall slope of the yard, as this will determine the complexity of the leveling project.”

How to level a yard

There are several methods for measuring slopes to determine how much dirt you need to add and where you need it. They include running string lines, using a laser level, or deploying a water level for large areas with intervening vegetation. Methods for correcting depressions include manually filling and leveling with a 2×4 or spot filling with a shovel.

Grading around your home’s perimeter basically involves measuring the slope and moving earth from the bottom to the top of it to reverse the angle. In some cases, you can do this with a rake, shovel, and wheelbarrow. If there’s vegetation and compacted earth involved, you may need heavy equipment.

If any part of your property has a pronounced slope, you might notice ditches, depressions, and other signs of erosion. Your first move should be improving drainage, perhaps by installing a French drain system. After that, level the eroded areas. Depending on the lay of the land, improve the slope by adding dirt to the low end.

Where to get fill dirt

For those seeking free fill dirt, several potential sources are available.

Check with local construction and excavation projects, new swimming pool installations, and local public works departments. Ads offering free fill dirt can also be found on online marketplaces like Craigslist.

Don’t be shy about calling construction, landscape and excavation companies. You’re doing them a favor by providing them a way. to get rid of excess dirt, and they’ll often deliver it for free or for a nominal fee.

Do your research before taking dirt from construction sites. Sometimes, it contains hazardous chemicals and debris something you wouldn’t want in your yard. If you suspect this, have the dirt tested before. you claim it.

If you want to plant grass, flowers, or vegetables In the dirt, you’re better off buying virgin topsoil from a local supplier. It will cost from $35 to $40 per yard in most areas; a typical dump truck carries 10 to 16 yards.

FAQ

How long does it take for a leveled yard to settle?

The time a new yard needs to settle varies with several factors affect how long a new yard needs to settle, including the kind of soil, the depth of the fill, and the weather. You can expect some initial settling within a few weeks to a couple of months’ to a couple of months. This happens especially after much rain or watering. Full compaction and stabilization take from three to six months. Very deep fills may require up to a year. It is often suggested to slightly overfill areas. to account for this natural settling.

About the Expert

Canamek uses GPS and laser land leveling technologies, and it also offers precision agricultural solutions. The company creates agricultural machines and technology. Its competence entails greater precision in land grading. This enhances irrigation system performance. It also it improves land utilization for a variety off purposes.

The Home Depot is a leading home improvement retailer that offers a wide range of tools, building materials, appliances, and services. It benefits both DIY enthusiasts and professional builders. The organization provides a comprehensive range of home repair and maintenance services.