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Final Grading and Drainage Swale Creation

6:49
18:00
144.3K views

At 6:49 in

Drying up a SWAMP yard- start to finish

What happens here

The main area of the backyard is then finely graded to establish proper drainage away from the house and towards the street. This involves creating a subtle drainage swale that directs water flow. Excess clay soil is removed, and organic black dirt is brought in to form the new top layer. This meticulous grading process is crucial to prevent water pooling and ensures a stable base for the upcoming sod installation.

Goal: Create a well-drained and level backyard ready for sod.

Tools and materials

  • Black Dirt — Creating the top layer for sod
  • Ear Protection Milwaukee — Protecting hearing during machinery operation
  • Excavator Daewoo — Making initial cuts and moving larger soil piles
  • Grade Stakes — Marking desired elevations for grading
  • Rakes — Smoothing out the soil surface
  • Safety Glasses — Eye protection from debris
  • Shovels — Fine-tuning the grade and moving soil in tight spots
  • Skid Steer Loader ASV — Moving and spreading large amounts of soil for grading