my sod was not put in correctly. I need to level the hills and valleys.?

Question

The concrete contractor put in sod, but it is awful. What is the correct way to get it level?

Answer 1

Typically, they take a water filled drum roller and roll over the sod to smooth it after it is in. Of course, that will help only if they did a fairly good job of smoothing things out before they put the sod down. If they didn't, about the only thing you can do is pull up the sod and smooth it out by adding or subtracting dirt in the worst spots, then pulling a large beam around to smooth the hills and valleys, and then replacing the sod and rolling it.

Of course, you could always get it real wet and soggy, and then try rolling it to see if it will smoosh out OK...could be dangerous to the sod though...

Answer 2

A roller will only work if the ground is soft and has yet to harden. Depending how big the hills and valleys are depends on what should be done. Using a roller on the ground also compacts the ground making it harder for the grass to grow. If you have small spots (about a foot or so in diameter), just lift the sod up or cut through it in an X like fashion and lift the sod then remove or add soil to level the spot out. Most gardening or landscaping books have illustrations in them showing how to do this.

If it's really bad, you may want to remove the sod and till the ground and take a garden rake over it to smooth it out for somewhat small jobs. For larger jobs, take a tractor and grader box over the ground to smooth the ground out.

Answer 3

Like don said: Use a sod roller. You can rent one from the tool rental place.