Sewer Line Replacement Procedure - final backfill

This article describes the final backfill stage when a sewer pipe or "drain line" is replaced.

The line which was replaced in this photo-illustrated case runs from the building exterior to a septic tank located downhill from the home.

Guide to Details of Final backfill of the sewer line trench

We present an actual case study, illustrated with photos of each step in the diagnosis and replacement of a blocked sewer line. Technical reviewers are welcome and are listed at "References."

After the drain pipe was fully bedded on and under sand, 

the excavator proceeded to backfill the remainder of the trench by pushing the excavated soil back in place. A skilled excavator can leave the site "rough graded" into a pretty smooth surface.

In this case a little work with an iron rake and some grass seed and the yard surface was back in acceptable condition. We bought a fast-growing fall-seeding grass seed so that grass would grow quickly so as to avoid erosion on the sloped rear yard, and we used some mulch to help hold the new seed in place until grass had sprouted.

The excavator took advantage of the backfill time to crush and bury piping scraps and debris from the excavated old sewer line. However we collected some of the larger debris, rubber and metal scraps, or other suspect items that had turned up during excavating (including a 1920's vintage automobile tire) to be hauled to a proper disposal site instead of permitting them to simply be buried on this residential property.

Final Site Grading after Sewer Line Replacement

The final grading over a sewer lineor any other septic piping system (such as drainfield trenches) should be left slightly mounded to accommodate the natural settlement of disturbed soils without leaving a trench or depression in the yard surface.

Final Site Cleanup after Sewer Line Replacement

We picked out plastic and other large debris items that the client did not want to discover later in the property's soil. Some of these materials, such as broken sections of abandoned used sewer piping may involve sharp edges or bacteriological hazards and should be disposed-of appropriately.

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Continue reading  at DOCUMENT BURIED COMPONENT LOCATION or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT
  • DIAGNOSE a BLOCKED DRAIN
  • WHEN to CALL a PLUMBER
  • FIND the MAIN BUILDING DRAIN
  • USE a POWER SNAKE to CLEAR a BLOCKED DRAIN
  • FIND DISTANCE to DRAIN BLOCKAGE
  • DETERMINE NEED for DRAIN LINE REPLACEMENT
  • REPLACE SEWER LINE, STEP BY STEP
  • MAKE OTHER SEPTIC REPAIRS
  • INSTALLING the NEW SEWER LINE
  • BED the SEWER LINE in SAND
  • FINAL BACKFILL SEWER LINE TRENCH
  • DOCUMENT BURIED COMPONENT LOCATION
  • FINAL SEEDING & RESTORATION
  • SEWER / SEPTIC LINES at STEEP SITES

Suggested citation for this web page

FINAL BACKFILL SEWER LINE TRENCH at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to DRAIN SEPTIC SEWER PIPES

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