Question
Hi just wondering, I currently don't really have a water issue in my basement, but I am needing to build up my yard higher up on the foundation to slope it away from the house as it should be. What do you recommend for fill, so it don't settle to the house again? Black dirt or sand, and should it be packed down or is it necessary. Thanks

Answer
Doug:
It generally does not matter what you use for fill soil as long as it is compacted(as long as you are not using a very organic top soil). Any type of typical fill soil will settle at least a little bit if it is not properly compacted.

Stay away from top soils or soils with lots of organic content (typically black dirt has lots of organics). Organics are still decomposing and will break down, rot and shrink causing subsidence along the wall.

Sandy, and some clay soils, are good or better.

If your worried about it, rent a hand operated vibratory plate compactor at your local too rental and compact the soil in "lifts". This means put down a little soil then compact it. Then add more and compact it again. You repeat this over and over till you reach your final grade.

Good Luck

Sean J Murphy, LA,ISA, LEED AP
Please check out my blogs and articles on landscape topics like this on my websites.
http://www.seanjmurphy.com
http://amenityarchitects.com