If you're having a new driveway installed at your home, the grading of the feature is extremely important. While you'll need the services of a professional excavating contractor to ensure a good result, you should also understand different driveway slopes and how they can impact your home. The following guide explains a few key points to get you started.  

Why Is Driveway Grading Important?

Drainage is a major concern around properties, and proper grading can prevent water damage to different areas of the home. When water pools around the building's base instead of flowing away from it, the surrounding soil becomes overly saturated. As a result, it will heave against the foundation, causing it to shift or lift upward. Should cracks in the foundation develop, there's also a risk that moisture will flood the basement. 

Proper grading is also important for the health of your driveway. While concrete and asphalt are resilient materials, they still incur water damage. Lingering puddles on the pavement will eventually seep through into these porous surfaces. When water freezes, it causes the material to expand and crack. Establishing the right slope stops water from pooling and greatly reduces the rate of wear on your driveway.

What Is the Recommended Slope for Residential Driveways?

A good driveway must have a slope that allows water to run off efficiently, but it shouldn't be so steep that it affects safety. This is especially important during the winter months when the pavement is likely to be covered in ice and snow. 

Driveway grades are measured using a rise over run formula, which is a calculation of the rise of the slope in feet compared to the distance of the path in feet. It's recommended that these installations have a minimum of a 2% grade, which means the pavement only rises about 2 feet over a distance of 100 feet. The maximum grade for driveways is 25%, after which steepness can become problematic. In features with a grade of 12% or higher, there should also be transition zones, which are areas where the steepness decreases for a few feet.

If you need grading service in Ogema, WI, turn to Jeff Simek Construction Co. Inc. They approach every project backed by decades of experience. In addition to assisting with driveway installation, they also offer land clearing, excavating, and site development services. The contractors at this locally owned and operated business take pride in serving their friends and neighbors to the best of their abilities. They also prioritize safety on all sites. Call (715) 767-5295 to schedule an estimate, and visit the website to view a complete list of available services.