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Backfilling the wrong way often costs
more than doing it right
BY R. T. BUCK BARTLEY
ackfillingan essential step in basement constructionis all too often the beginning of
basement destruction. Done improperly,
backfilling causes problems that may start before the builder leaves the site and may remain long
after hes gone. But the problems can be avoided by taking a few simple precautions.
There are four key elements to proper backfilling:
Protecting the foundation wall from damage during
backfilling
Using the right backfill materials
Compacting the backfill
Final finishing the subgrade to ensure that water
drains away from the foundation
Done correctly, these four steps help to ensure that a
well-built basement functions the way its supposed to,
providing the homeowner with dry, usable living space.
a costly problem. Fixing it will require pushing out the bow in the
wall and repairing the crack with
epoxy injection. As insurance
against a wall failure, having two
carpenters work a couple of hours
bracing the wall is a good investment.
trough caused by
settlement and
s t a rted leaking
t h rough shri n kage cracks in the
foundation wall.
Co r recting the
faulty dra i n a g e
stopped
the
leaking .
Be careful when
compacting backfill. Some compactors are powerful enough to
damage the wall.
One way to avoid
this problem is to
place the backfill
in 6-inch-thick
lifts and have the
laborers tamp it
with foot pressure
or hand rammers.
Vibrating plate
compactors also
can be used for
granular backfill
without damaging
the wall. It takes
more time to compact thin layers,
but the method
provides insurance against wall
damage
and
against call-backs
related to drainage
problems.
Final finishing
to the correct
grade
Di ve rting surface water away
from the foundation is one of the
most
effective
Figure 5. Settlement can occur rapidly in poorly compacted
ways
to
pre ve n t
backfills. Water collecting in the low spots may cause
basement
leakbasement leakage even before the house is completed.
age. The minimum slope for
cause basement leakage even befinished grade should be 1/2 inch
f o re the house is completed. Fi gper foot for at least 10 feet away
u re 5 shows the results of poor
from the foundation. This is espeg rading and no backfill comcially important if there are landpaction. In this case, during rainy
scaping beds near the house. Waterwe a t h e r, water collected in the
ing plants in low-lying areas close to