[VoodooChile]

The house Spiderlilly and I are working on needs some grading around the foundation, and one of the spots is underneath a open-air porch with a roof over it. I recognize because of the roof, how we grade underneath the porch is pretty elementary, but it got me wondering.

I plan to grade the soil away from the house--create positive grade--, cover with weed barrier, and top with a 3" layer of washed 3/8" to 5/8" drain stone, cause that's whats laying around after the last pond.

The ? is, can you just skip positively grading the soil, when a negative grade exists and simply create a positive grade with the drain stone???

I know what my answer would be. What's yours?

[HardDaysKnight]

I'm confused as to what thread you wanted us to
reply on so I eenie meenied.
Grade the soil first, absolutely. Stone or any other
aggeregate, mulch or whatever material is resting solely
on top of the finished grade. The stone is permeable and as
you know ..water seeks it's level. Is that what you were asking?

[Lanelle]

Always create a positive grade away from the house using a compactable soil. I agree with HardDaysKnight.

[Stonehenge]

If you have a negative grade with soil and add crushed stone, you'll still really have a negative grade, but the crushed stone will now have a pond to play in.

[GLAN]

Uh...........what they all said.

[VoodooChile]

Yeah, that's what I figured, but I'm betting that's not what's always done.