How to Fill in Mound Dirt From Sewer Replacement

One of the more unsightly aspects of laying replacement sewer pipes is having your lawn dug up. Trenches for sewer pipes are typically dug out at 1 to to 2 feet. As a result, much of your topsoil, which is good for your yard, is displaced and you end up with clumps of mound dirt, or hardened clay. However, there are techniques that can be used that will facilitate grass growth after you have filled the trench in.

Steel rake
Potting soil
Shovel
Spreader
Lawn fertilizer
Hose and sprinkler

Instructions

- 1
  Use a steel rake to crush and break up large chunks of clay. Start at one end of where the sewer line trench was dug and work your way to the end. The goal is to crush the clay into the smallest bits possible with your rake.
- 2
  Open a bag of top soil and walk along the path next to the sewer line where the dug up dirt is piled up next to the trench. As you walk pour the contents of the top soil over the piled up clay. Once the first bag is empty open another bag and continue. Do not completely cover the clay with soil but pour enough for it to mix thoroughly with the clay. Four to five 20-lb. bags of soil should be more than adequate.
- 3
  Use the steel rake to mix the clay and soil thoroughly.
- 4
  Shovel the clay and soil mixture carefully back into your trench. Use the rake or a hoe to pull lingering dirt and clay off your grass and into the trench. Smooth the mix on top of the trench with a rake.
- 5
  Place 4 cups of spreadable fertilizer into your spreader. Walk up and down the length of the trench a couple times, or until you have emptied out all the fertilizer.
- 6
  Water the affected area for around 45 minutes daily for a week or until you see grass begin to sprout.

How to Place a Birdhouse

Fertilizer for Yard

Lawn Basics