How to Figure Out the Slope of Your Driveway

Knowing the slope of your driveway serves several useful purposes. It's important for proper drainage. If you're splashing in and out of the drive and hopping puddles after you climb out of the car, you'll want to know why that water's collecting and how to correct it. Driveway slope also becomes relevant in icy conditions when traction may be affected by a steep grade -- experts recommend that a driveway should never exceed a 15 percent slope. Want to build a fence or retaining wall along the drive or install new paving stones? Percentage of slope, please. The use of string-and-stake technology and a simple formula will quickly approximate your driveway's slope

Two stakes
String
String level
Measuring tape

Instructions

- 1
  Locate the highest point on the driveway. Usually, the highest point is level with the floor of a garage or carport, or surface of a parking area, located at the top of the driveway.
- 2
  Drive a short stake into the ground immediately adjacent to the highest point of the driveway. Tie a string to the stake close to the ground. Walk the reel of string down to the lowest point on the driveway. Generally, the lowest point is where the driveway intersects with the street.
- 3
  Drive a longer stake into the ground immediately adjacent to the lowest point of the driveway. The stake should be tall enough to position the string on a horizontal level with the stake at the highest point.
- 4
  Hang a string level on the string near the midpoint. Stretch the string tight. Ask an assistant to watch the level as you raise or lower the string. When the string is level, tie it to the stake.
- 5
  Measure (a) the distance from the string to the ground on the lower stake and (b) the total length of the string between the stakes. Convert both measurements to the same dimensions, either in feet or inches. Divide (a) by (b). Multiply the result by 100 and you have the approximate percentage of slope of your driveway

How to Seal With Asphalt Driveway Sealers

Steel Trusses Used in Carports

Driveways