This is a story about a backyard with a height difference between the back door and the yard.
There used to be a deck. Over time, it needed to be replaced.
But the homeowner did not want another deck. He wanted paving stones instead.
To make that happen, the ground needed to be raised about 2–3 feet.
His idea was:
- Surround the area with large rocks (about 2–3 feet in diameter)
- Fill the inside with soil
- Install paving stones on top
This way, he could open the sliding door and step directly into the backyard—no stairs needed.
He also thought filling with soil would feel more “permanent” than building another deck.
The Problem: Filled Soil Settles
There is one very important thing to consider:
Filled soil (built-up soil) settles over time.
I had to explain that installing paving stones right away would not be efficient.
Soil needs time to compact naturally.
I recommended waiting at least one year, and ideally two years, before installing paving stones.
My suggestion was:
- Use gravel temporarily for about two years
- Let the soil settle naturally
- Then install the paving stones
It may feel inconvenient, but it prevents future problems.
The Truth About Soil Compaction
When a retaining wall is built and soil is filled behind it, people often want to build something immediately:
- A garden bed
- Paving stones
- A pond
- A gazebo
- A shed
But here is the truth:
If you cut into an existing slope (undisturbed ground), you can build right away.
That soil has been compacted naturally over many years.
But if the ground is filled, you must wait.
Because it will settle.
No matter how large or heavy the roller or compactor is, the soil will still settle over time.
Especially outdoors.
Rain soaks the soil.
Gravity slowly pulls it down.
Only time truly compacts soil.
You may ask:
“What if we use sand, gravel, or road base instead of soil?”
The answer:
It settles less than soil—but it still settles.
That is why in road construction or large site grading projects, contractors often:
- Fill the land first
- Wait for natural settlement
- Then continue construction
If there is no time to wait, they use more gravel and sand and compact it with water.
But they must accept that future repairs may be necessary.
A Real Example
One day, a plumber had to dig a deep trench in a front lawn for pipe work.
The hole was about shoulder-depth.
Later, when I returned, the work was finished and the soil was filled back in.
The lawn looked flat and clean.
But something was wrong.
When compacted soil is dug out, it becomes loose and increases in volume.
So after refilling, there should be extra soil left over.
Also, the refilled area should be slightly raised—because it will settle later.
But the plumber had leveled it perfectly flat and removed the extra soil.
It looked good at that moment.
He did not realize it would sink.
After several heavy rains, the area sank several inches.
I later had to bring more soil, refill it, and repair the lawn again.
The Simple Rule
Filled soil settles.
Only time makes soil truly stable.
Water and gravity are slow, but they are powerful.
And in landscaping, ignoring that power always leads to problems.
Written by Andy Lee
Owner of Andy’s Landscape Inc. – Landscape Contractor in Maple Ridge, BC