Why is proper grading around a foundation wall always referred to as “positive” grading? Proper grading dictates that the grade slope down away from the wall which is negative.
[I know the answer is dependent on where your starting point is, but if one reads the wording of most uses of the term it is written backasswards.]
Because regardless of where you are standing (your starting point), when you are speaking of an object in the way of the grading you always refer to the grading from the point of view of grading against/towards it.
That’s the default, unless you specifically state otherwise - and doing so is unconventional.
Archived mentally from my surveying class in university, 1970.
Because you can be positive the contractor will do it wrong?
Positive slope to drain away from the foundation.
Negative would be a positive slope draining back to the foundation, or bassackwards.
You want the shit to positively, absolutely slope away from the foundation.
Yes, as my visiting engineer mentioned to us acolytes in school:
there are 3 things you need to know about plumbing:
You forgot, “Never lick your fingers.”
Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?
That’s a Gallagher joke.