Short Term Grade Problem Question

[CluelessPro]

I have an area between where we currently park our cars and the new garage that I need to have filled. The garage is concrete is about 4-6" lower than the existing pad (on the right). Long term my plan is have this area concreted and put a drain in between them with slopes down from both the garage and the existing pad when I do some other concrete work around the property. It might be 2-3 years before I come back and do concrete here.

For now, I'd like to put in gravel so I can pull cars/equipment into the garage. Should I correct the base grade some before putting in gravel to keep water from flowing against/underneath the garage foundation? What is the best way to go about getting that water to shed?

 

[Firebrick43]

Looks like you have slope to the rear of that pic.

I would cut a substantial ditch in that is sloped to the rear and then put filter fabric on the sides and fill it up with clean crushed 1” minus stone to 8” below grade. Tamp with a plate compactor and then fold and place filter fabric over the top and fill the remaining 8”.

Then you will have an excellent and permanent French drain taking all the water away but have a flat surface unlike a traditional ditch.

Areas in the rear you don’t want gravel you can continue with a perforated drain pipe to day light or the crushed stone works with a few inches of top soil

 

[racecougar]

I'll skip the hindsight comment; yes, correct the grade before laying your base. You don't want to direct water toward the building. As for how, why not follow the same premise as you suggested for the final concrete? Slope to the middle, and slope that to the side.

 

[CraigStu]

This is a perfect excuse to rent a mini excavator for a long weekend.