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Need Help Backfill & Compact Soil (Sunnyvale)
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Work Details;
1) Preparation: Remove unsuitable material. Inspect the exposed bottoms and correct or compact any unstable areas before placing the first lift.
2) Soil: Use suitable soil stockpiled in the backyard, or from the front yard if needed. The soil should be free of vegetation, roots, trash, concrete, debris, and rocks or hard soil clumps about 2–3 inches or larger.
3) Moisture Conditioning: Before placement, have an experienced worker moisten or dry the soil as needed and thoroughly mix it so the moisture is even throughout. A squeezed handful should form a ball and hold together; it should not be powdery, muddy, overly sticky, or release water.
4) Lift Thickness: Place the soil evenly in 6-inch loose lifts (8-inch maximum). For example, mark 6-inch intervals at several locations along the dry-well sides as a guide.
5) Compaction: Have an experienced worker operate the heavy-duty jumping jack and give each lift several complete overlapping passes over the entire area, including edges and confined areas, with additional passes as needed.
6) Check Each Lift: The soil should be firm and stable, without soft, pumping, or sinking areas. Watch its response during compaction, then walk the area and heel/stomp-check for firmness throughout before placing the next lift.
7) Repeat: Follow the same screening, moisture conditioning, placement, compaction, and checking process described above for every lift to minimize future settlement.
8) Finish Grade: Finish the backfill to match the surrounding ground level while minimizing low spots.