Fill around building

[labhaven]

Hello. I had a 26x44 pole barn built this summer/fall. Everything is complete with the exception of backfilling around the perimeter. The concrete floor was poured on heavily compacted gravel. There are about 5 inches of exposed grade board before the metal siding begins. Obviously, its gravel below the grade board. Am I ok to top the exposed gravel off with topsoil for planting grass leaving an inch or so between the topsoil and the metal siding? Or is that a bad idea and I should top off with more gravel?

Thanks!

 

[kbs2244]

Check to see if you have a mention of this in your building code.
My area wants 8 inches of concrete between the dirt and siding.

 

[labhaven]

I'm going to call them in the morning to ask what they recommend. There is no requirement in the code that I'm aware of. They have already completed their final inspection and taken photos of the exterior. I've been holding off spreading topsoil as long as I can because the gutter install isn't scheduled until mid-November. I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing.

 

[BillK]

Is the wood pressure treated ??? If not I certainly would not want it covered with dirt ????? Even if it was pressure treated I sure would not want it in the dirt long term.

 

[labhaven]

Yes, it is pressure treated.

 

[BillK]

Yes, it is pressure treated.

Still don't think I would want it in the dirt but that's just me. Maybe that is normal for pole barns ?

 

[AlwaysLearning]

You could do landscaping gravel for two feet then take your grass to the edge of that with a landscaping boarder separating the two

 

[TractorJeff]

You could do landscaping gravel for two feet then take your grass to the edge of that with a landscaping boarder separating the two

What he says!
Don't want muddy water splashing up on the Walls! Plus the mice won't like it!

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

. I don't see any problem with putting an inch of topsoil on the gravel and planting grass. I bet you'll end up with grass in the gravel after a couple years anyway. I wouldn't cover the grade board.
BTW: If you don't have gutters you will end up with a drip line down to the gravel , maybe deeper.

 

[Kaizen]

Don’t know where you are but consider winter. If can’t get stuff growing no sense making a muddy mess.


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[labhaven]

Thank you for the suggestions. I had hoped to have gutters up by now but the installation isn't scheduled until next month when it will be too late to plant grass seed or lay sod. As was pointed out, I Haven't spread soil yet because of the mess it would be with the rain pouring off the roof. I think at this point, I should top off with a little more gravel so there aren't any gaps between the grade board and the pad. That gap is bugging me. Not sure if I'm worrying over nothing. If you try to stick a finger under there, you immediately hit concrete. It's really only the side in the photo that is bothering me. The front has a 3 foot apron, one side is a porch with gravel extending out about 2 feet, the back side also has gravel out about 2 feet. The builder shifted things a little too far to the right or I would have had a nice 12-18 inches of gravel already.

Thanks again. It helps to "talk" things out

 

[NUTTSGT]

I put river rock around my garage, but also have a tile under it with no gutters. I make an occasional pass with weed killer to prevent anything from growing in it.

 

[brownbagg]

everybody always come up with this, this, this, but the answer is

yes

 

[Bretny]

Think about how close you want to mow to your new building and how your going to keep grass and weeds out of the gravel if you use it.

Gutters are needed in our area. If it was mine i would do some gravel out past the drip line a bit, get gutters on and leave the rest until spring. This way you can spread soil and plant right away.

 

[tab2]

There is a code regarding decay of materials and how close they can be to grade, but I don't know where steel falls on that without looking it up.

If it were me, I would gravel 6" past my drip line, maybe a metal edging and get my soil and seed/sod down right away. It is a good time for grass to get going right now. In the spring you will be completing with crab grass.

 

[pcmeiners]

After a few years termites will just love the pressure treated lumber; had pieces of pressure treated in my yard less then 2 years with termites. Aside from the lumber itself they will appreciate the nice moist path between the concrete and the grade board. That board would not pass inspection in most jurisdictions unless your all steel construction.

 

[labhaven]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm going add more gravel to what is already there and slope it down to the existing lawn. Due to the slope of the site, the building is sitting on 8 to 16 inches of compacted gravel so I'm standing proud of contact with soil unless I introduce it.

 

[rburke65]

I have 2 pole barns. One with grass right up to the skirt board n one with “egg” sized rocks. Grass one is pushing 40 yo..rock was just 7 yo.