Learn the ins and outs of lawn grading, what grading is, why it may be necessary for your home, and how the process is done. Find out about sod installation services and the benefits of laying fresh sod for a healthy, lush lawn. There are few more experienced at grading and sod installation in the Chicagoland area than the talented team at Aspen Landscapes.
What is Lawn Grading?
Lawn grading refers to a property’s slope, specifically the downward slope of the lawn away from the home. Every yard should be properly graded to control the flow of water away from the house, as standing water around a house can cause significant and expensive foundation problems, mold issues, and flooded basements, as well as destroying grass and other softscape elements like flowers, shrubs, and trees.
Signs Your Lawn Needs Grading
- Pooling Water: If you regularly find spots of standing water in your lawn, there is a good chance you need to grade. Pooling water indicates that the soil around your home is too compact to absorb the moisture properly and can attract mosquitoes and other unwanted pests.
- Uneven Surface: A lawn that is noticeably uneven is not only harder to use but harder to maintain. Lawn mowers have a harder time traversing divots and valleys, and unexpected bumps in the terrain can make an unsafe environment for family members to walk and play.
- Patchy Grass: Bald spots or sparse areas in your yard can be a sign of uneven watering. If certain spots get too much or too little water, grass cannot thrive to its full potential, even after reseeding. This is less than ideal for both curb appeal and daily use.
- Exposed Tree Roots: Most trees have root systems that are supposed to live entirely underground. If you notice large roots at the surface under the base of your trees, this is a sign that the soil has eroded to the point of exposing the roots, and should be fixed to maintain the health of the trees and to avoid the tripping hazard exposed tree roots can cause.
Benefits of Lawn Grading
Once you have identified the problem areas in your lawn, it’s time to call the professionals at Aspen Landscapes to do the job right. A properly graded yard draws water away from your home or property, leaving the structure comfortable and dry. A well-graded yard also smooths out any uneven surfaces, making it safer and more pleasurable to use. If you’re planning a larger landscaping or hardscaping project, grading gives your yard the proper foundation to support these structures.
How Does Grading Work?
Our skilled crew members at Aspen employ a bevy of heavy machinery, tools, and techniques to make sure the job is done correctly. Some of the steps they will take include the following:
- Prepare the lawn by mowing the grass very short and clearing the yard of debris.
- Identify the sunken areas of your lawn and remove the grass.
- Fill the sunken areas with new soil to build them up to the appropriate height.
- Measure the existing grade using string or a laser and calculate the new grade.
- Use heavy equipment like a skid steer or a small excavator to shape the lawn and create the perfect slope.
- Compact the soil with an industrial soil compactor to hold it in place.
- Plant and water new sod.
Sod Installation
Whether you’ve just had professionals grade your lawn or want to refresh a yard of underperforming grass, installing new sod can refresh the entire look of your property. The installation process can be a daunting one, especially if you are covering a large area. If you’ve just had your lawn graded, installing new sod plays a vital role in keeping the new soil from eroding and assisting in proper water absorption. Unlike spreading grass seed, which can take weeks to see results and involves frequent maintenance, laying sod provides instant gratification and adds an immediate upgrade to your home’s curb appeal. The team at Aspen Landscapes is familiar with the local weather and the specific sod species in which it thrives and can help you pick grass that will hold up to the elements and daily use.
Lawn Irrigation Options
In this article, we have discussed the importance of moving water away from your home, but it is equally important to water your lawn frequently and evenly. Installing a lawn irrigation system takes the guesswork out of watering and lessens the time you have to spend maintaining a green, lush lawn. The two more popular options to consider are drip irrigation and underground systems. Drip systems are best used for softscape areas, flower beds, and vegetable gardens, which house flowers and foliage that can thrive off a more gentle water delivery system. In a drip irrigation system, the lines and hoses sit on top of the soil and trickle water slowly over the earth. This helps conserve the amount of water used and is a great option for watering a designated area in a water-conscious way. Underground systems are ideal for large yards. The irrigation tubes are buried underground, and when it’s time to water, sprinkler heads pop up and cast a wide spray of water. These can be connected to timers, so you never have to worry about missing a watering.
Benefits of Installing an Irrigation System
While you can certainly set up sprinklers or hand water your lawn, having a professional install a fool-proof system has a host of benefits.
- Irrigation systems help conserve water and save money by only allotting a specified amount of water and distributing that water evenly across the entire area without waste. Timers and rain sensors can be added to further reduce the amount of water you use while still providing enough for your plants to grow.
- It saves you time and labor. It is best to water lawns and plants before the sun gets too hot, especially in the summer months. If you water your lawn by hand, that would require a very early morning watering, as well as one in the evening. Installing a sprinkler system on a timer delivers the water automatically, so you don’t have to.
- If you sell your home in the future, a professionally installed irrigation system will be very attractive to potential buyers and will increase the value of your home.
Get a New Lawn with Aspen Landscapes
From consultation to relaxation in your newly refreshed yard, the team at Aspen Landscapes will walk you through every step of your yard transformation. They’ve been servicing the Chicagoland area for nearly 30 years, helping their clients better enjoy their outdoor spaces with beautiful hardscapes, gardens, and more. Their experienced crew members are mindful and methodical, finishing your project while doing their absolute best not to disturb you and your space. Contact them today to schedule a consultation and receive a complimentary estimate.
