Guide · Plain English
The Homeowner’s Dirt Work Guide
Warning signs, the order of a project, utilities, permits and the questions to ask before anyone digs, explained in plain English.
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Warning Signs
What Your Property Is Telling You
Safety first. Never dig without calling 811 first. If you smell gas, see a cave-in, or someone is hurt, leave the area and call 911. Then call us at 615-357-7797 for help.
Standing Water in the Yard
Puddles that last for days after rain, soggy grass and mosquitoes are signs that water has nowhere to go or is flowing the wrong way.
It may be
- Low spots and poor slope
- Downspouts that dump near the house
- Compacted clay that will not drain
What to do
- Note where the water pools and how long it stays, and check where your downspouts discharge. Regrading, drains or both usually solve it.
A Wet or Leaking Basement
Damp walls, a musty smell or water on the floor after storms usually mean water is building up against the foundation.
It may be
- Water pressure against the wall
- Cracks and failed joints
- Poor grade or clogged gutters
What to do
- Clean the gutters, make sure downspouts carry water away and book an inspection. Exterior work stops water at the wall.
Cracks, Sticking Doors and Uneven Floors
Wide or growing cracks, doors and windows that stick and sloping floors can point to foundation movement.
It may be
- Soil that swells and shrinks with moisture
- Poor drainage around the house
- Settling on soft or fill soil
What to do
- Take photos and mark the ends of cracks with dates. Get it looked at before fixing finishes. Drainage is often part of the answer.
Slow Drains and Sewer Backups
Gurgling, slow drains throughout the house and backups at the lowest drain can signal a problem in the main sewer line.
It may be
- Tree roots in the line
- A cracked, collapsed or sagging pipe
- Old clay or cast iron pipe
What to do
- Stop running water if it is backing up, and have the line scoped with a camera. A spot repair or a replacement can fix it.
A Washed-Out Driveway or Ditch
Deep ruts, gullies, potholes and a ditch that overflows mean water is running down the drive instead of away from it.
It may be
- No crown or too little stone
- A culvert that is too small or blocked
- A ditch without stabilization
What to do
- Water control comes first: crown the drive, clear or replace the culvert and stabilize the ditch. Then add fresh stone.
Soggy, Smelly Spots Over the Septic Field
Wet ground, lush green strips of grass and odors over the drain field are warning signs that the system is struggling.
It may be
- A clogged or overloaded drain field
- Broken lines or a failed distribution box
- A full or damaged tank
What to do
- Reduce water use and avoid driving on the field, then have the system inspected. Early repair can save the field.
General information, not an inspection. If you see structural damage or smell gas, leave the area and call 911.
Free Interactive Tool
Try the Before-You-Dig Planner
Choose a project and tick off the usual steps in order.
Planning aids only, not engineering, survey, soil or permit advice. Nothing you enter is sent anywhere until you choose to send it to us.
Before Anything Gets Dug
Five Things to Sort Out First
Call 811 a few days before any digging, so underground lines are marked for free. Know your property lines, ask your city or county about permits for grading, demolition, ponds and septic work and check whether your neighborhood has rules about tree removal or runoff.
Then think about water, because water decides most of what happens to dirt work. Where will it come from, where will it go and what will it cross on the way? A good plan answers that before the first scoop of soil moves.
What is the difference between excavation and grading?
Excavation removes soil, such as digging a foundation, a trench or a pond. Grading shapes the surface of the land so it slopes and drains the way you want. Most projects use both.
How steep should the ground slope away from my house?
A common guideline is a drop of about six inches over the first ten feet from the foundation, and local code and soil can change that. Our Slope and Grade Calculator checks your numbers.
How long does an excavation project take?
Many yard drainage jobs take a few days. Foundation digs and pads often take a day or two, and large clearing or site work takes longer. Weather matters, and your estimate includes a realistic timeline.
What happens to the dirt you dig?
We plan that before we start. Often it is reused on your lot for grading or backfill, and when it is not, we haul it away. Your estimate says which.
Ready When You Are
Let’s Get Your Project Moving
Book your free estimate. Tell us about your land and your plans and we will contact you shortly, or call now and talk to an excavation pro.
- Free estimates
- 16 Middle Tennessee cities
Get Your Free Estimate
Music City Excavation, a division of Music City Builder Group, digs, grades, drains and clears for homes, farms and businesses across Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
Call us today615-357-7797- Serving 16 Middle Tennessee cities
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Excavation Services
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- Land Grading
- Yard Regrading & Leveling
- Site Preparation & Building Pads
- Basement & Foundation Excavation
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- Retaining Walls & Slope Stabilization
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- Storm Drains, Catch Basins & Downspout Lines
- Swales, Ditches & Culverts
- Basement Waterproofing
- Sump Pumps & Interior Drains
- Foundation Repairs
- Water Lines & Service Taps
- Trenching & Underground Utilities
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- Sewer Line Replacement
- Septic System Replacement & Installation
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