I’m digging up a section next to the foundation to put on some waterproofing and the dirt is real good soil. I’d like to use it for some grading I have to do in the yard, and buy some other cheaper material to back fill. What is a suitable backfill material.
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After that, sand is probably best, since it compacts easily so that you won't have too much slump.
Be sure to backfill with the appropriate mix to meet your local percolation requirements. Gravel first... sand if recommended by local experts... dirt... topsoil. Don't forget a silt cloth if required.
Getting fill in many localities is not a question of price (for the dirt).. it is a question of finding the right situation at the right time. Look for a construction site close to you that is hauling dirt away. Chances are, the truck-boss is looking for a place to take the dirt for dumping (if circumstances are anything like what we have here in Columbus, OH). Talk to the truck-boss and see if they have a need for a closer site to take dirt... and he will probably be more than willing to help ya out if his drivers are otherwise driving a longer distance. (note: if the guy looks at you like you are talking gibberish when you speak of "clay" and "topsoil"... find a different site. You won't get what you are looking for. Many truck-bosses are sharp about dirt... others are "truckin' on down the road types" that don't understand the importance of the right dirt for the right application.)
BE SURE, however, to make sure the fill meets the needs of whatever your local perc requirements are. Put 100% heavy clay up next to the foundation, and you will have bigger problems than you can imagine. "Topsoil only" will create a "choked french drain effect" next to your foundation if the surrounding soil is clay. A soils engineer can give you a recommendation for your area at a very reasonable cost. Well worth the investment, considering the ramifications of not doing it correctly.
I'm breaking up a sidewalk and have a bunch of concrete chunks to get rid of. Could I mix them in with sand for backfill?
I don't think I would do it. My thought is that the concrete will eventually break up and you'll have some ick left over that doesn't perc water. I'd stick with gravel.
I'd use the rubble for a sub-base for a sidewalk or driveway IF it was broken up REALLY well (in lieu of #2s)... but I'm leary of using it around a foundation. Too important an application to risk it.
Think about how hard it will be to dig that rubble fill back out again next time you need to, and you will forget the idea of using iot to backfill. .I use inch minus for backdfill up to a foot from surfaced finish grade.
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broken concrete, sure! go for it.. if it crumbles a bit due to the dampness of soil so what, it's no going anyplace.. Aound here we bury tree stumps and quite a bit. Tree stumps do decompose after a while so you might have to come back in in about a decade with a few shovels full of dirt to level things off.
Sheetrock and brick, tile, etc. who cares, if you put it deep enough it will near get up where it can bother you. Don't bury tires or hazadous waiste as they will come back and haunt you...
Edited 3/3/2005 4:32 pm ET by frenchy
SAND, the problem with the concrete is . within six years you will have to dig in that area again and you will hit the concrete and cuss yourself for putting it there. trust me you will.
Edited 3/3/2005 7:30 pm ET by BROWNBAGG