Let’s discuss how to raise the soil of your backyard and why you need it. The first thing you should think about is moisture, which interferes with the regular operation of the site and soil. The negative effect of moisture can be expressed in different ways:
- marshland,
- the proximity of groundwater to the surface,
- pits on the site that collect water.
Other factors affecting the need to fill the site include soil heterogeneity or its unsuitability for gardening purposes.
If the previous factors do not cause any problems, you may need to raise the site to eliminate sudden changes in the soil (holes, hills). There are two main methods for levelling the level of the site:
- Surface (sand delivery with its further levelling);
- Backfilling of the site with excavation.
Development of a land plot
The development of a land plot is a complex process that takes place in several stages:
- The layout of the land plot;
- Dismantling of large and small outbuildings;
- Cleaning the site from debris and vegetation;
- Excavation of the topsoil;
- Drainage system lining;
- Dumping.
How to plan your backyard?
Each plan for organizing a land plot should take into account:
- Location of facilities and structures;
- Walkways;
- Zoning of garden plots and flower beds;
- Location of additional playgrounds (children’s, car, swimming pool, pond, etc.);
- Power supply, engineering structures (lighting, irrigation, etc.).
Types of drainage systems
Since moisture plays a vital role on the site, its competent drainage is one of the essential stages in raising the site.
Control over the moisture level at the site is carried out by:
- Deep drainage system – consists of underground wells and pipes that reduce the level of ground moisture;
- Open drainage system – consists of channels and slopes that drain excess water.
An open drainage system is considered the most straightforward option and is carried out at the expense of trenches along with the entire territory, which is sloped. Closed systems are much more demanding. Here you cannot do without the involvement of experienced professionals.
Ground lifting materials
The soil dumping depends on the solved problems, the site purpose, and the density of the ground. Most often, the following is used for filling the site:
- Crushed stone, gravel, brick breakage;
- Sand (ordinary, quarry), excavated earth;
- Sandy loam, loam;
- Fertile soil.
The area must be clean.
The main preparatory steps are:
- Cleaning the site from plantings and debris;
- Removal of the fertile surface;
- We are constructing a cement strip foundation to prevent soil sputtering.
The level of the foundation must exceed the final level of the backfill by 10 cm.
Raising the ground
Levelling the soil begins after the foundation is entirely ready. The final barrier should have a slope with a height of 3 cm per 1 square meter.
Levels carry out filling and levelling:
- Bottom – dumping;
- Medium – drainage system;
- Upper – fertile soil (previously removed or specially imported).
The upper layer is applied after the two previous ones have shrunk by 2–3 cm. The lower layers can shrink for about 2–3 months. To strengthen the dump, planting plants with extensive root systems is encouraged.
