What happens to my yard?

All geothermal systems require digging in your yard to install the ground loop heat exchanger. This will temporarily disturb the surface of the yard, but your yard will recover! When it does you will never know it is there.

Initial Aftermath

After, the soil is back filled it is left at a rough grade finish, and it can be left mounded, or flat. It is generally a good idea to leave the ground mounded because over time it will settle. A good rule of thumb is let the ground loop area go through all the seasons before you start with landscaping. After a year the soil should have settled completely, and you will avoid low points in your yard. In addition, if it is left mounded, final grading after the settling has taken place will be easier.

The settling, however, is dependent on a number of factors such as, soil type, slope, nearby vegetation and the amount of precipitation just to name a few. If you decide to leave the soil left flat, it is important to talk to your installer about this. There is the potential that the soil could settle and leave long dips in your yard. This may require additional topsoil in the future to level it out. Your installer will have the knowledge to advise you on the best way to leave the ground.

The soil at this point is lacking a lot of nutrients needed for proper grass growth. This is because the topsoil is mixed in with the subsoil. If requested your installer can remove the topsoil and place it back for an additional cost. The first plants to grow will be pioneer species, more commonly known as “weeds.” They will help stabilize the soil and add nutrients.

Landscaping

When it is ready for landscaping you may need to level the soil, remove rocks, and supply additional nutrients. You can do this yourself if you have the equipment and time, or instead contact a landscaping company. They will bring a landscape rake to remove the rocks, a tractor to level the soil, as well as supply more topsoil for added nutrients. It is also important to select the correct grass type for your yard. Every yard has different soil types, and you want to select the seed that will grow most effectively in your soil type.

Many geothermal companies will offer yard recovery packages as part of the project. This way, you are dealing with one company for the entire process. They will come back after the settling is complete and restore your yard. The extent of this is up to you. Some packages may just be re-grading after the settling is complete. Other packages may include the grading as well as the addition of top soil and seed. Again, it is a good idea to have an in-depth conversation with your installer so that they understand your wants and needs.

Once the yard has recovered, you will never know that a geothermal loop system has been installed. At a depth of 8 feet nothing will hurt your ground loops and you can plant trees, build an above ground pool, even a pole barn can be put over them. Just because you have a geothermal loop system installed does not mean you cannot use that area of the yard.