Residential excavation is an essential step for your planned construction project in your yard. It doesn’t matter if you want to install a new pond, walkway, fountain, deck or even an in-ground pool, it is inevitable that your very first task is to excavate the land.
But the thing here is that you don’t just dig here and there and expect to get the best result. There is actually a process that you need to follow to ensure that your home improvement project will turn out exactly as how you envisioned it to be.
Here at Utah Excavation, we adhere to a strict process with the necessary steps when carrying out our residential excavation services:
Site Grading and Preparation
Before we start digging, we first conduct site grading and preparation. Site grading is the technique that our excavation expects use to adjust an area’s slope before we build construction. Prior to erecting the new structure, we will even out the surface first through grading to provide a stronger and more even foundation.
For residential excavation, our professionals will weigh in on the site to identify if it needs grading to have a level base. We will consider different factors such as moisture levels and soil composition to assess the overall scope of your project. If there is a need for site grading, we will use our heavy equipment to prepare the surface for the leveling and achieve a more even finish.
After grading, we will then prepare the site through clearing it. We will get rid of any plants, rocks, bushes, trees and others. If ever there are structures on your yard such as sheds or benches, they will also be moved somewhere else.
Mass Earthmoving and Excavation
Utah Excavation uses the latest equipment and technology to correctly plan and quantify the necessary earth movement on your site. We assess the information we gathered and the plan for earthmoving will be implemented by our team.
You can be sure that the moment we mobilize our team to your site, they already have extensive knowledge on what ground conditions they can expect, what special challenges are present, where dirt comes from and where it should be. This lets us work as quickly as possible so we can proceed to the next step of the process.
The excavation requires an extensive range of expertise and competency. Through our vast amount of experience and knowledge, we can perform excavation with the highest level of workmanship and still maintain a safe and secure working environment for you and our own team.
Topsoil Stripping and Stockpiling
Topsoil stockpiling is an important part of residential excavation. With topsoil stripping and stockpiling, the topsoil or the soil’s B and A horizon, is removed. The topsoil is removed with the use of our heavy equipment. It will then be piled in deep and large piles throughout the duration of the excavation process.
Once the project has been completed, the soil will be spread again to allow the plants to grow. The period of storage for the stockpiled soil can range from several months up to a few years. The length of time that the stockpile is stored and its depth can also have an effect on the soil’s quality at replacement.
Stockpiling as well as the subsequent topsoil reapplication will allow for the planting conditions that are nearer to the condition before the disturbance compared to planting on the remaining subsoil layers. Through quick reapplication of the stockpiled soil, with enough care to lower the compaction that is common when using mechanical methods for stockpiling, there is still a remaining potential for production.
The procedure of topsoil stockpiling can vary depending on the specific project at hand. These differences as well as their effects on the productivity of the soil are going to be discussed with you. Changes that happen to the soil during the use of stockpiling methods will be discussed as well together with the challenges and improvements that can be done.
Topsoil Placement
Topsoil placement is usually required once the site construction activities have been completed in order to restore the place and get it ready for landscaping and grading. Topsoil is often placed in depths that range from more or less 2 to 4 inches and even more in other cases.
Topsoil can be made up of organic matter, sand, clay, peat and minerals, among many other ingredients, As for bulk placement and large areas, you can count on our team at Utah Excavation to handle everything with utmost care and attention. Depending on the size and type of area that will be covered, the equipment we use for topsoil placement can range from excavators, large loaders or the smaller skid-steer loaders.
More often than not, topsoil has the ability to self-compact after some time. However, there can be special instances such as backfilling behind curb wherein compaction can come in handy to ensure that settling won’t take place. The top one inch or so must be loosened by hand or mechanically before any plant or grass is placed to let the seed roots penetrate and have a good hold.
If large areas of topsoil need the surface to be raked and loosened, the Harley rake is commonly used as a productive and powerful means.
As for the topsoil materials that have bigger stones or debris or marl, a rock hound assembly is going to be passed over the topsoil’s upper portion that collects the undesirables and rocks at the surface. The rock hound also somewhat has some power raking abilities.
Finish and Fine Grading
The scope of finish and fine grading work is to either fill or cut the material to match as nearly as possible to the nearby areas. Finish grading refers to the removing or adding of soil within 1 to 2 inches of existing grade to create the final elevation and contour of the ground required to prepare your residential land for the plan you have in mind.
The process is foundational to developing a fine lawn as it provides the final preparation and shaping for the sod base or seed base. Utah Excavation uses finish grading equipment meant to get rid of extra debris and rock while pulverizing the soil to create a smooth finish.