What Is Land Grading? 

Grading a site is a process of leveling or sloping the land to facilitate building foundations and roads. It also provides surface drainage. The process is used in various applications such as landscape improvement, surface drainage, road and railway base courses, and other civil works. Below are some of the main uses of grading. 

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Excavation 

Excavation for land grading involves the removal of debris and topsoil from a site. This process is performed with heavy machinery. This machinery digs large holes and creates piles of dirt. After the excavation process, the ground is graded to make the surface flat and ready for construction. It’s used for many different purposes, including building sidewalks, swimming pools, and foundations. 

Filling 

Filling land grade requires the placement of materials that level the land surface. These materials may include soil, rubble, spoil, rocks, and other appropriate materials. It does not include burying garbage or other hazardous materials. However, demolition waste and nonhazardous refuse may be acceptable fill materials. 

Finish grade 

A finish grader is responsible for fine-tuning the land after it has been graded. He does this by removing mounds of dirt and preparing the flatwork for landscaping and other finish trades. 

Retaining walls 

Retaining walls are important for maintaining a level surface and preventing soil erosion. The type of soil that supports a retaining wall affects its strength. In particular, clay soil requires more reinforcement than free-draining soil. Furthermore, the soil conditions at the base of the wall must be strong enough to support the wall’s weight. Furthermore, moisture content in the soil can affect the strength of the retaining wall. 

Water runoff 

Water runoff from land grading is an important issue that affects the safety of roadways. When water pools on the road, it is dangerous and can cause damage to the road. Fortunately, proper grading can prevent this problem. In addition to roadways, proper land grading is also necessary for driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots. 

Cost 

Before you can start building on your land, it must be graded. This process involves scraping away some of the land on the higher elevation and reusing the soil on the lower elevation. This process typically costs between $17,400 and $43,600 per acre, depending on the type of site and slope steepness.