Leveling out backyard
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Leveling out backyard
I'm working on putting in a play set in my backyard. The problem is that the terrain is uneven. We're talking ~1-6" from one spot to the next. How should I go about doing this? I'm only concerned with a 5' x 10' area. Any links or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
Likes: 46
From: Drummonds, TN USA
Flat shovel - and a level.
You can eyeball it, and slide the shovel one handed once the soil is loose.
The post holes for it will set how level it is, but you want to get the ground even across it all afterwards
*The whole yard don't have to be equal, just where it sets.
You can eyeball it, and slide the shovel one handed once the soil is loose.
The post holes for it will set how level it is, but you want to get the ground even across it all afterwards
*The whole yard don't have to be equal, just where it sets.
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
I would just buy or aquire a 4x4 chunk of wood at least 5 foot long, grab yourself a level, then move dirt around till the board is level. The board will also serve to drag the area after.
For a 5x5 space you shouldnt need a laser level, but if you can borrow one, they work really well!
For a 5x5 space you shouldnt need a laser level, but if you can borrow one, they work really well!
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
I'm working on putting in a play set in my backyard. The problem is that the terrain is uneven. We're talking ~1-6" from one spot to the next. How should I go about doing this? I'm only concerned with a 5' x 10' area. Any links or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
If you want to leave it grass, but the ground is too uneven to support the posts of the play set, the easiest would be to pick up a few concrete slabs to prop up the posts on the low points.
If you want to grade the area, you need to have some soil delivered, level it out with a rake and shovel, and then compact it with a hand roller that you fill with water. You can rent the roller at the tool rental place. Rent a big aluminum grading rake too. YOu level it out with a small garden rake, pass teh roller to compact, then level again with the big rake, trying to get it really nice and even. Then roll over it again and smooth out the bumps with your big rake, until your satisfied.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Thanks for the advice guys. I got sidetracked. Not much time for the internets the past few days.
I'm going to try and get to this this weekend. I have a level, shovel, and 4x4's....so I'll do that.
I'm going to try and get to this this weekend. I have a level, shovel, and 4x4's....so I'll do that.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Government Teat-sucker
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 1
From: Virginia Beach
I did a 10 x 10 pad ini my backyard a few years ago. After I got the sod out- really, a bunch of tiny clumps of grass- I pounded it out with one of these:
(I'll try the roller method next time- much less work)
I got it sort of flat and then added a bunch of sand- about 20 bags. Then I got a 10 foot long 2 x 4 and screed the sand to level it out. This looks much easier on television, btw. I laid the blocks down and several of them, no matter how hard I tried, still had a little wiggle in them. I simply added a little more sand here and there to make sure each block was steady. It came out pretty good.
(I'll try the roller method next time- much less work)
I got it sort of flat and then added a bunch of sand- about 20 bags. Then I got a 10 foot long 2 x 4 and screed the sand to level it out. This looks much easier on television, btw. I laid the blocks down and several of them, no matter how hard I tried, still had a little wiggle in them. I simply added a little more sand here and there to make sure each block was steady. It came out pretty good.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
I did a 10 x 10 pad ini my backyard a few years ago. After I got the sod out- really, a bunch of tiny clumps of grass- I pounded it out with one of these:
(I'll try the roller method next time- much less work)
I got it sort of flat and then added a bunch of sand- about 20 bags. Then I got a 10 foot long 2 x 4 and screed the sand to level it out. This looks much easier on television, btw. I laid the blocks down and several of them, no matter how hard I tried, still had a little wiggle in them. I simply added a little more sand here and there to make sure each block was steady. It came out pretty good.
(I'll try the roller method next time- much less work)
I got it sort of flat and then added a bunch of sand- about 20 bags. Then I got a 10 foot long 2 x 4 and screed the sand to level it out. This looks much easier on television, btw. I laid the blocks down and several of them, no matter how hard I tried, still had a little wiggle in them. I simply added a little more sand here and there to make sure each block was steady. It came out pretty good.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 2
From: Southern MD
Pulverized rubber, or shredded mulch. NOT rocks/pebbles!!!!!!!
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
I've been considering the pulverized rubber. The issue with doing mulch is that we get almost no direct light in the backyard (lots of tall hardwoods). Once it gets wet, that stuff would take forever to dry out. The soil takes long enough to dry out as it is.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
Jason
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
Likes: 46
From: Drummonds, TN USA
This much I know - you'll never want to mow underneath it even with a weedeater.
Whatever you put down, underneath everything else NEWSPAPER (believe it or don't) permanently forms a barrier against weeds. There's something in the ink and binder of the paper that won't let weeds grow through a layer of it...
For whatever reason - that actually does work!
Whatever you put down, underneath everything else NEWSPAPER (believe it or don't) permanently forms a barrier against weeds. There's something in the ink and binder of the paper that won't let weeds grow through a layer of it...
For whatever reason - that actually does work!