How Long Does It Take For The Ground To Settle After Sewer Work?

After expensive sewer repairs that may have set you back a few grand, the last thing you may want to be looking at in your front yard is a massive mound of dirt where your pristine lawn once was. You may have saved your home from flooding by fixing your sewer line in time, but how long it will take for this ground to settle back into place?

While it can take up to 7 years for soil to settle naturally, expert plumbers can backfill the ground strategically to speed up this process. Using a ground tamper and soaking the area with water can help to level out this mound in your yard. With proper attention, your ground can settle into place in less than a year after sewer work.

We will let you in on why you have this mound in your yard after sewer work, and how you can speed up the settling process.

Ever wondered why you can dig up a hole, and then have excess soil when you fill that hole back in? Well, it has to do with soil composition. Soil is composed of minerals, water, and organic matter. Over time, it settles into place and the tiny air pockets disappear. However, when soil is disturbed, the pockets of air and water between the soil particles become larger again. This is can lead to a mound of displaced dirt where you previously had a level surface.

Some other reasons you have extra dirt on your hand may be because the new pipes are larger in size than your previous sewer line. Also, many companies put a layer of gravel under the pipe to avoid settling and “bellied pipe.” They will usually leave just enough dirt in the mound so that in a few months’ time you will have a level (and not sunken) lawn.

In most cases, it will take several months for the soil to settle back into place after sewer work. Expert plumbers can finish the backfilling process strategically for ideal settling. They will usually take away excess dirt and use a mechanical tamper to compact the ground to make sure that in a few months you will have an even lawn.

It may be worth working with a more expensive company if they can also ensure ideal groundwork after they repair your sewer work. You may want to discuss this detail with your plumbing company before you hire.

When the plumbers finish their work, you may have 1 or more feet of dirt mounded on top of your new sewer line. It is not a good idea to shovel down the mound before talking to the company about it. You could end up with a sunken spot in your yard in a few months. However, there are some things you can do to help this mound disappear faster.

Related Questions

What are the signs of a sewer line problem?

It’s hard to know what’s going on under the ground without seeing it for yourself. However, your sewer lines will leave some signs. A smelly drain, sinkholes in your yard, or a slow-flushing toilet, can be signs that your sewer line needs some attention.

What are the most common problems to affect a sewer line?

Tree roots and shifting (or frozen) soil can affect your sewer line. These are some of the most common reasons that your sewer line can break, crack, or collapse. Also, if your pipe is older than 50 years, it may be reaching the end of its lifespan. Most sewer lines can last from 50 to 100 years.

What type of sewer line has the shortest lifespan?

Orangeburg pipes are one of the least resistant types of sewer lines. They can last up to 50 years, but generally show signs of aging after 30 years. Orangeburg pipes were essentially made out of asphalt and wood pulp. Many homes used Orangeburg pipes for plumbing beginning in 1945. Orangeburg pipes continued to be used in buildings until 1972 when the Orangeburg plant closed.