How to Do the Dirt Work for a House Foundation

Backfill the trench on the outside of the foundation walls in 12-inch layers of soil, called “lifts.” Shoveling the soil into the hole is labor intensive, but an experienced heavy equipment operator with a front-end loader can quickly distribute the soil in the trench.

Compact each 12-inch soil lift with a plate compactor. Powered by a gas engine, the plate compactor is a walk-behind machine that compresses the soil by tamping it rapidly.

Repeat the fill-and-compact process until you reach ground level. Add a final 6-inch lift and compact it. This will put the soil around the foundation about 4 inches higher than the surrounding soil, which is sufficient during the construction stage.

Level the yard after the construction is finished and all the concrete flatwork, such as sidewalks or the driveway, is in place. A front-end loader works well for most of the yard, but for tight spots, such as between a house and a detached garage, a skid steer is better.

Raise the level of the soil around the house to about 6 inches below the top of the foundation wall. Bringing the dirt any higher increases the risk of termites finding a way into the house.

Slope the yard downward from the foundation at a 2 percent grade. This means that for every 10 lineal feet, the level of the yard will drop 2 inches. Use a transit and a measuring stick to check the slope of the yard frequently during the final grading.

Haul away excess dirt. It’s likely that you’ll have a few truckloads of leftover dirt after shaping and grading the yard. A soil-hauling company can remove it, or you might find some neighbors who will haul it off for free to use in their yards.