Where does fill dirt fix a problem on a Sherman property?
Fill dirt fixes ground that sits too low or slopes the wrong way on a Sherman property. Typical jobs are puddles that last for days, soil sloping toward the house, trench and wall backfill, and areas raised for a shed or slab. On Grayson County clay, low spots rarely drain on their own.
If water still stands in the same spot two days after a rain, that ground needs raising, not more grass seed.
- Water running at the foundationResidential building codes call for the ground to fall at least 6 inches within the first 10 feet away from a house. Fill rebuilds that slope where the soil has settled or washed.
- A yard that holds puddlesLow pockets in a lawn catch runoff and stay soft for days. Raising them a few inches sends the water on its way.
- Open trenches and new wallsUtility trenches, foundation edges and the space behind retaining walls all need backfilling once the work inside is finished.
- Ground built up for something newA shed, carport or work yard sits drier on ground raised above the grade around it.
- Ruts and washoutsGullies cut by runoff across a pasture lane or yard can be filled and packed back to grade.
How much fill dirt does a low spot need?
A low spot needs length times width times depth in feet, divided by 27, plus extra for compaction. A 30-by-20-foot area raised 8 inches takes about 14.8 cubic yards before it is packed, so plan on roughly 16 to 18 cubic yards once the lifts are compacted.
Turn inches into feet by dividing by 12, so 8 inches becomes 0.67 feet. Fill dirt loses volume as it is packed down, and wet clay loses more, so ordering a little over the raw figure saves coming up short with one corner unfinished. HARDROCK runs these numbers with you before anything is ordered.
L × W × D ÷ 27 + packing
- Length
- 30 ft
- Width
- 20 ft
- Depth
- 8 in (0.67 ft)
- Loose volume
- ≈ 14.8 yd³
- Plus 10–20% for packing
- ≈ 16–18 yd³
30 × 20 × 0.67 = 400 cubic feet. 400 ÷ 27 = 14.8 cubic yards.
How does a fill dirt order with HARDROCK work?
A fill dirt order with HARDROCK Sand and Gravel starts with a call or the form and ends with the load dropped on your property. In between, HARDROCK checks the quantity against your measurements and gives the price and a delivery day over the phone.
- Length, width and depth of the area to fill
- What the fill is for: low spot, backfill or raised grade
- Where on the property the load should land
- A firm, open drop spot clear of septic lines and soft ground
- Call or send the formGive the address and what the fill is for. The checklist beside this list covers what to have ready.
- Quantity checkYour measurements go through the cubic-yard math, with room added for packing.
- Price and a drop dayHARDROCK quotes the load and sets the day by phone.
- Load droppedThe fill dirt is dumped at the spot you picked, ready to be spread and compacted in lifts.
What is the difference between fill dirt, topsoil and select fill?
The difference between fill dirt, topsoil and select fill is where each one belongs in the ground. Fill dirt is subsoil that builds up grade, topsoil is the organic top layer that grows grass, and select fill is a low-shrink sandy clay that engineers often call for under slabs.
Fill goes down in lifts rather than one deep dump. Each layer, commonly 6 to 8 inches loose, is spread and compacted before the next one goes on, and topsoil returns on top only where something needs to grow. For a slab, see how house pads are built up with fill and base.
| Material | What it is | Packs down firm? | Grows grass? | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fill dirt | Subsoil, often clay-heavy, with few roots or organics | Yes, in lifts | Poorly without topsoil over it | Raising grade, low spots, trench and wall backfill |
| Topsoil | The upper layer, rich in organic matter | No; settles as the organics break down | Yes | The last few inches under lawns and beds |
| Select fill | Sandy clay with a low shrink-swell rating | Yes, to an engineered density | Poorly | Under slabs and foundations where plans call for it |
Why does fill on Grayson County clay need careful grading?
Fill on Grayson County clay needs careful grading because the native ground swells when wet and shrinks when dry. The graded pad in this HARDROCK photo shows the goal: a flat, even surface graded so water runs off instead of soaking in under whatever gets built there.
- Slope it away. Finished fill should shed water away from slabs and walls, never toward them.
- Pack every lift. Loose fill dumped deep settles for months and leaves a dip where it was meant to be level.
- Keep it below the siding. Soil heaped against brick weep holes or wood trim holds moisture where it does damage.
Need several materials on one site? Bulk delivery across Grayson County covers sand, gravel, rock and dirt, and every service is listed on the HARDROCK services page.
What Sherman and Denison customers say on Google
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JJ W3 months ago
Excellent experience working with Dean, he went out of his way to get me the material i was needing. Top notch customer service. I would highly recommend giving Hardrock Sand and Gravel a call!
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Frisco Grass Guys LLC5 months ago
Top-notch company! Their prices are excellent, customer service is outstanding, and communication has always been reliable. I’ve been working with them for over two years and would highly recommend them for all your material deliveries 🚚 🤝
Read moreTop-notch company! Their prices are excellent, customer service is outstanding, and communication has always been reliable. I’ve been working with them for over two years and would highly recommend them for all your material deliveries 🚚 🤝
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Robert Holt9 months ago
Great service. Leo the driver was very friendly and courteous. Also spoke with the owner, Dean. He was very friendly and gave me some great information. Great job!!!!!!!!!
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Clyde Roberts11 months ago
Super helpful, on time delivery and informative. I would highly recommend
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Tami Beattya year ago
Couldn't be happier with this company. Called yesterday for help with an issue on my driveway. Talked with Dean the owner, he told me what we needed to do to correct the issue. I asked how soon he thought they might get to it and he said maybe the end of the week. By 8pm the same night, he was on the phone with me asking if it would fit my schedule for his guys to come the next day around noon. His guys were on time, polite, hard working and went out of their way to make sure the job was done perfectly and the price was more than fair. I will definitely use this company for all my sand and gravel needs in the future.
Read moreCouldn't be happier with this company. Called yesterday for help with an issue on my driveway. Talked with Dean the owner, he told me what we needed to do to correct the issue. I asked how soon he thought they might get to it and he said maybe the end of the week. By 8pm the same night, he was on the phone with me asking if it would fit my schedule for his guys to come the next day around noon. His guys were on time, polite, hard working and went out of their way to make sure the job was done perfectly and the price was more than fair. I will definitely use this company for all my sand and gravel needs in the future.
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Dustin Szumowskia year ago
Great driver and solid prices! Worked with us in to get all the aggregate we needed for the project! Phenomenal communication! That was the biggest pet for us with all the moving pieces of this project.
Reviews are shown as written on Google. See all 24 on Google
What do customers ask HARDROCK before ordering fill dirt?
Customers ordering fill dirt from HARDROCK Sand and Gravel tend to ask three things first: whether HARDROCK delivers to their address, whether fill dirt can stand in for topsoil, and how a fill dirt load gets priced.
Do you deliver fill dirt to Sherman and nearby?
Yes. HARDROCK Sand and Gravel delivers fill dirt in Sherman, Denison and across Grayson County. Call 903-420-0330 with the address and the size of the area, and HARDROCK will confirm the delivery and a drop day.
Is fill dirt the same thing as topsoil?
No. Fill dirt is subsoil meant to be packed down to build height, while topsoil carries the organic matter grass needs. Build the height with fill dirt, then finish with a few inches of topsoil only where you want a lawn or garden bed.
Is fill dirt priced by the ton or the cubic yard?
HARDROCK Sand and Gravel gives fill dirt prices over the phone. Bring your cubic-yard figure from the low-spot math on this page when you call 903-420-0330, and HARDROCK will explain the current price and how the load is measured.
