Is it best to build up a yard in order to level it out, or better to dig it out?

Answer by  Kia99 (128)

Make sure this isn't a drainage ditch, or digging the yard out to level it could cause it to flood. If it is, building up the rest of the yard and leaving the ditch as a runoff, or linking it to the drainage (if legal where you are) might be a better option.

Answer by  lgk (2426)

It is better to build it up. If you dig it out more, then you will increase the area that floods, where as building it up with eliminate that issue. Also, you can build it so it drain outward, and keep your home dry even in heavy rains.

Answer by  GilFinn (2065)

Your goal would be to keep water away from the house. If the ditch was originally part of a swale to channel water away, then you might want to dig out a channel on either side. If the ditch is just caused by earth settling, backfilling would be the answer.