how to level this area (pic)

[bobbyg18]

i think I will be getting this job...i need to level a 40X20 area...i will be using a skid steer...the pathway in the middle will be the middle of the area, and I will be removing the concrete...

my questions are:

1) should i bring in dirt to raise the lower part or cut into the top and use that dirt to fill in down below?...even if i bring in dirt i will still have to make a cut on the top to even out

2) will the roots from the huge tree ba e a problem for me

3) if i make a cut into the hill what concerns should i have about draingage?
any help would be appreciated..thanks

 

[CharlieTR]

I am no expert but maybe a little of both (cutting in and bringing in dirt).
If you cut tree roots, you need to cut branchs off the top too, so it won't be out of "balance".

Where is the 40x20 section?

Maybe two walls or one tall wall. Might require an engineer depending on your code.

Have fun!

 

[RobJ]

How about a small dozer, I see a LOT of fill dirt there. Plus you will need some compaction. Is it sloping down to the street?

Is the bottom of the tree level to the area? Sort of looks a bit low. If you bury the lower part of the trunk with dirt, say a foot or so but it could be as little as a few inches....you could kill the tree. It may take a while but covering the trunk with dirt, mulch, is a no-no. It opens up to tree to a different kind of bug that the bark can not keep out. It may be different up north.

Good Luck.

 

[kwolfe]

It looks like you are going to need to build a 3-4' retaining wall on the right and side and back fill behind it. You could cut into the hill side on the left and build another retaining wall there as well, however since you have a sidewalk the ground would have to slope back up to it eventually. As for drainage, you should not have any problems as long as you finish grade does not slope toward the building. You may also want to consider running a drain line from the inside of the left hand retaininf wall towards the street.

 

[bobbyg18]

i figured i'd need retaining walls (but i dont build walls, i'd have to sub it out)...this is a job for a guy building a playground...he said he just wanted it sloped, no walls

and he just wants me to level an area about 40X20...

 

[Gatorboy]

How about like this?

 

[dirtworksequip]

Its hard to tell from the pic. How far to the right is the property line. The further to the right you can go the flatter you will be able to make your slope. You could cut some on the left side,but the depends on several factors......1) what are the underground utilities that you will be affecting. Sewer,water electic,gas and phone? If you take off cover on a waterline or sewer that could cause future freeze problems.2) how steep of a slope would be acceptable to the left.

I guess I would cut as little as possible on the left and fill to the right. If you cover the root sytem of the big tree with even a small amount of dirt it will be dead within a year.

Be sure and strip off the topsoil and save it.If you fill over it, you will have the potential for your fill to slip.

 

[dtd24]

certainly a retaining wall in order from the looks of things.

 

[k6dyc]

If he only needs a 20x40 level pad and you are going to remove the sidewalk from the house to the street, it looks like you could place it to the left of the tree (looking at the picture). Just go 20' to the left of the tree parallel to the house and run the 40' between the house and the street. It looks like you wouldn't even be moving that much dirt on the uphill side, maybe a foot or so. You really need to take a builders level out there and shoot the area to see how much rise there is from the tree to 20' uphill from the tree.

Good luck, and post before and after pics!

 

[toolaholic]

You're getting set up for trouble! There should be a set of plans,with detailed info. also someone should bring in an arborist. When things go wrong,and they will, you'll lose. talking from 45 years in the buss.