Fill dirt is the level of dirt located below the topsoil layer in the ground. Because of this, fill dirt has a much different composition than topsoil. It consists primarily of hard, rocky material, and doesn’t contain the organic compounds or nutrients found in topsoil.
Uses of Fill Dirt
Because it doesn’t contain organic matter, fill dirt has many uses that other types of dirt aren’t suitable for. This is because organic matter decomposes over time, so any type of dirt that contains organic matter will be prone to settling. When organic matter decays, it leaves behind empty spaces or pockets of air. These spaces serve to weaken the dirt and cause it to crumble in on itself. Over time, this means that the soil will be prone to shifting or settling.
Fill dirt, then, is perfect for any projects that require stable dirt that remains firm and steady. Fill dirt, because it lacks organic materials, will never be prone to shifting or settling. Depending on where you live, you may even be able to obtain free fill dirt for your project. As a result, it is the best type of dirt for filling gaps or holes in any structure you want to maintain.
Here are some uses of fill dirt:
Structure Foundation
If the land around your home has a natural depression and requires leveling, fill dirt is the type of soil you need. If you’re thinking about building a new structure on your land, or having an extension built to your home, fill dirt acts as a great base. It is recommended that you opt for what’s known as structural fill dirt, as this ensures that the material has been screened and tested before being sold to consumers. Structural fill dirt is guaranteed not to have any organic material in it: an essential consideration when a structure is going to be placed on top of the dirt.
Grading or Sloping
Sometimes the land around your home doesn’t grade or slope properly. Older houses in particular are surrounded by land that is too level. The first rule of grading is that the ground should slope away from your house in all directions dropping at least two or three inches every ten feet. If your lawn slopes too much, or is too level, fill dirt can be used to fix it. Proper grading ensures proper drainage and prevents damage to your home foundation.
Site Preparation
Site preparation is the umbrella term used to describe building demolition and the clearing of building sites. This can include clearing away trees and any obstacles that obstruct the building of a new home or commercial structure. Fill dirt can be used to fill in gaps or holes caused by the clearing or demolition process in general.
Ditches
Fill dirt can be used to both raise an existing ditch to a level that improves drainage, or to fill a ditch that is no longer in use. Always make sure to contact the necessary authorities before attempting to fill in a ditch. This will ensure that filling in the ditch is legal and compliant with any local, state, or federal regulations.
Drainage Pathways
Like grading or sloping, drainage pathways will improve the drainage of the water used inside your home, as well as naturally occurring water due to underground sources or weather conditions. Fill dirt can be used in the creation of a drainage pathway, thereby helping to direct water flow in a more efficient manner.
Man Made Hills
Man made hills can be created both for aesthetic and practical purposes. Landscape mounds in and around your home can be used to create a unique garden design, helping to raise plants to a higher level. Man made hills also offer a greater degree of privacy for homeowners who are surrounded by neighbors and have level garden spaces. Fill dirt is an excellent material to use in the creation of a man made hills. Just be sure to remember that fill dirt is not recommended as a topsoil. If you are planting flowers or vegetation on the mound, only use fill dirt on the bottom half, and cover the top half with topsoil after using clay soil to hold the shape of the mound.
Estimating the Price of Dirt
There are some things to know about buying dirt. For example, the price of dirt isn’t measured in the same way as other materials used in construction. When you’re buying dirt, the most common measurement you’ll encounter is cubic yards. One cubic yard is twenty seven cubic feet. One cubic foot is twelve by twelve by twelve inches.
If you can imagine an empty cube that has sides of one yard each: fill this up with dirt, and this is the amount of dirt that makes up one cubic yard. Therefore, estimating the proper amount of dirt for your home project can be done by knowing the depth, length, and width of the areas you wish to fill.