Lenexa, KS · Member since 2015 · 19 posts · 3 votes
Does anyone in the Kansas City | Overland Park area know where I can get dirt (whether free or cheap). I need to do some grading on my property to push water away from my foundation.
@Jason Gullick, you might want to reach out to local excavating contractors or those from out of the area that are currently working locally. Oftentimes, these folks are looking to dispose of excess material from the project sites and/or have stock piles at their yard. Dirt is often free, what usually costs is the loading and hauling.
That said, not all dirt is equal or suitable for a given application (e.g., very porous soil, while capable of changing the topography, may drain too fast to direct water away as you desire).
Donald Howaniec Wayne Brooks Michael Paris
Gentleman,
When you say quality versus cheap what exactly am I looking for (sorry new investor first property). I understand I want clean dirt so to speak with minimal rock etc.
The property has recently been braced. I want create runoff to ensure I don't have to rebrace in the future.
Thanks for the advice! I will reach out to a couple companies to see what I can find.
Best,
Jason
Jason, depending on how much dirt you need quantity wise, I'd recommend using clay based soil. If that's not available, one can purchase bentonite (used to seal water well caps after drilling) or possibly the poor mans solution of mixing in cheap (clay) kitty litter, which is lower quality bentonite. To shed the water from the foundation, pack it against foundation, sloping up from ground, about 4" in roughly a 45° angle. The wetter the location, the higher the concentration of clay needs to be to divert the water from draining straight down the footer walls & causing damage. If the ground slopes down toward the house, a drain tile & sump pump may be needed if basement is present.
Hope this helps!