Author: Tony Wyatt

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Excavation Professionals Trench Digging

What Is the Difference Between Excavation and Digging: 5 Key Distinctions

What Is the Difference Between Excavation and Digging

When starting a construction project, a common question arises: What is the difference between excavation and digging? Many people think excavation and digging are the same, but they serve different purposes and involve different methods. Understanding these differences helps property owners save time, money, and effort.

Keep reading to learn more about what is the difference between excavation and digging and how understanding these differences can benefit your next project. 

What Is the Difference Between Excavation and Digging?

Understanding what is the difference between excavation and digging can significantly impact your project planning. Here are five key distinctions:

What Is the Difference Between Excavation and Digging info

Purpose and Scope

  • Excavation is usually part of larger construction projects, such as building foundations, installing underground utilities, or creating large landscape features. It involves detailed planning and precise execution to ensure structural integrity and safety.
  • Digging is often for smaller tasks such as planting trees, installing fence posts, or small-scale landscaping. It doesn’t usually require extensive planning or equipment.

Techniques and Methods

  • Excavation employs advanced techniques and machinery. Excavators, backhoes, and bulldozers are common tools. The process might involve removing large amounts of earth, rock, or other materials.
  • Digging is typically done with simpler tools like shovels or small mechanical diggers. It’s a straightforward process that doesn’t usually require specialized skills.

Equipment Used

  • Excavation relies on heavy machinery. Trained professionals operate these machines to handle the complexities and scale of the work. The equipment used is designed for deep, large-scale digging and material removal.
  • Digging can often be done manually or with small machinery. It’s more labor-intensive but doesn’t require the heavy-duty equipment that excavation does.

Depth and Area Covered

  • Excavation usually involves deeper and more extensive work. For example, creating a basement or a large pond requires removing a significant amount of earth over a wide area.
  • Digging is shallower and covers a smaller area. Tasks like garden planting or small trench digging for irrigation systems are typical examples.

Preparation and Safety

  • Excavation requires thorough preparation. This includes surveying the land, marking underground utilities, and obtaining necessary permits. Due to the scale of the operation and the equipment involved, safety is a major concern.
  • Digging has simpler preparation steps. It might involve marking the area and checking for any small underground obstructions, but it doesn’t usually require the extensive safety measures that excavation does.

Misinterpreting what is the difference between excavation and digging can lead to choosing the wrong method, potentially causing project delays or safety issues.

Is Drilling Considered Excavation?

Drilling is often used in the initial stages of excavation to explore underground conditions. For example, drilling boreholes helps to assess soil composition, rock layers, and water tables before large-scale excavation begins. In this sense, drilling is a preliminary step within the broader excavation process.

Is Drilling Considered Excavation?
  • Techniques and Equipment

Drilling involves specialized equipment like drill rigs and augers. These tools create precise, deep holes in the ground, providing critical information for excavation planning. The drilling process requires skilled operators who understand how to handle the equipment and interpret the data collected.

  • Examples

In construction, drilling might install piers or piles that support a building’s foundation. These drilled shafts are essential for stability, especially in unstable soil or high water tables. Another example is drilling for utility lines, where precise holes are needed to run cables or pipes underground.

Drilling as a Separate Activity:

  • Purpose

Drilling can also be independent and separate from traditional excavation. This includes drilling for water wells, oil, or natural gas. These projects don’t necessarily involve removing large amounts of earth but instead focus on accessing underground resources.

  • Techniques and Equipment

Independent drilling projects use similar equipment to exploratory drilling but are often more specialized. For example, oil drilling rigs are highly complex machines designed to drill to great depths and extract resources.

  • Examples

Water well drilling is standard in rural areas with limited access to municipal water systems. Similarly, energy companies conduct oil and gas drilling projects to extract valuable resources beneath the earth’s surface.

Drilling can be considered a part of excavation when it serves as a preliminary step or supports the excavation process. However, it can also stand alone as a distinct activity with specific goals and methods. Understanding what is the difference between excavation and digging helps clarify how drilling fits into these broader categories.

What Does Excavating Land Mean?

Excavation is when you dig up earth, rock, or other stuff from a place to make a hole or hollow. The primary purpose is to prepare the site for construction or other projects. This can include creating building foundations, laying underground utilities, or landscaping.

But what is the difference between excavation and digging? Excavation is more complex and planned than digging. It involves precise measurements and heavy machinery to ensure the site is ready for its intended use.

Steps in Excavation

  1. Site Survey and Planning

Before any excavation begins, the site must be surveyed to determine its topography, soil composition, and potential hazards. This information is crucial for planning the excavation process.

  1. Marking and Clearing the Site

The area to be excavated is marked according to the project plans. To clear the site, obstacles, such as trees or existing structures, are removed.

digging versus excavation
  1.   Digging and Removal

Heavy machinery like excavators and bulldozers dig and remove the earth. The depth and area of excavation depend on the project’s requirements. For instance, creating a building foundation requires precise depth and width specifications.

  1.  Soil and Material Management

The removed earth and materials are relocated within the site for other uses, such as backfilling, or transported off-site for disposal. Proper management of these materials is essential for maintaining site safety and environmental standards.

  1. Safety Measures:

Safety is a top priority during excavation. This includes securing the site with barriers, ensuring machinery is operated by trained professionals, and monitoring for any signs of instability or hazards.

Understanding what is the difference between excavation and digging helps clarify that excavating land is a detailed, planned process involving more than just removing the earth. Getting the job done right means you need to prepare well, operate the machinery like a pro, and always stick to safety rules.

What Is Considered Excavation?

Understanding what is considered excavation is essential for effective project planning and execution. Here are some points to consider:

digging a trench

Types of Excavation

  1. Topsoil excavation involves removing the top layer of soil rich in organic matter to prepare the land for construction or farming. For example, removing topsoil is necessary to prepare a site for building a house.
  2. Earth excavation involves removing soil beneath the topsoil layer, commonly used for foundations and other structures. An example is digging out soil to lay the foundation for a commercial building.
  3. Rock excavation involves removing solid rock, often requiring blasting or specialized machinery, and is typically more complex and expensive. For instance, excavating rock is necessary to build tunnels or roads in hilly regions.
  4. Muck excavation involves removing a mixture of water and soil commonly found in wetlands or waterlogged areas. Clearing muck is essential for constructing drainage systems or roadbeds.
  5. Trench excavation involves creating narrow, deep trenches for utilities such as water pipes, gas lines, or electrical conduits. Digging trenches is vital for laying underground cables or pipelines.

Purposes of Excavation

  • Construction

Excavation is crucial for creating foundations, basements, and underground parking structures, ensuring the stability and safety of these structures.

  • Landscaping

Shaping the land for aesthetic and functional purposes, like creating terraces, ponds, or retaining walls, often requires excavation.

  • Archaeology

Carefully removing earth to uncover and preserve historic artifacts and sites requires precision to avoid damaging valuable finds.

  • Mining

Extracting minerals, metals, and other valuable materials from the earth can involve large-scale operations and significant environmental management.

Safety and Regulations

  • Safety Measures

Excavation poses risks such as cave-ins, equipment accidents, and exposure to hazardous materials. Implementing safety measures like shoring, trench boxes, and safety training is essential.

  • Regulations

Compliance with local and national laws is crucial, including obtaining permits, conducting environmental assessments, and adhering to safety standards.

Knowing what is the difference between excavation and digging highlights the complexity and scope of excavation activities. Excavation is a detailed, regulated, and safety-focused process that requires careful planning and execution.

Final Thoughts

Knowing what is the difference between excavation and digging is crucial for planning construction or landscaping projects. Excavation involves detailed, regulated processes with advanced machinery while digging is simpler and often manual.

Recognizing these differences ensures projects are executed correctly, avoiding delays and safety issues. Whether preparing a site for a building, installing utilities, or creating landscape features, knowing when to use excavation versus digging is key.

For your excavation, land clearing, and preparation needs, consider Shilling Excavation for efficient and safe project completion.

If you have questions about what is the difference between excavation and digging, please reach out. Being aware of these distinctions can significantly impact your project’s success.

Categories
Residential Site Preparation

Experts Reveal: Does Building a Pond Increase Property Value?

having a water feature in the yard usually attracts many potential buyers who are willing to pay a large amount

While adding a pond in your backyard enhances the beauty of your house, it can also add a large number of values to your property that you might not have considered. Does building a pond increase property value? Well, having a water feature in the yard usually attracts many potential buyers who are willing to pay a large amount.

When built correctly, ponds can provide water for livestock and wildlife, fishing, boating, swimming, fire protection, aesthetics, and higher land value. Before digging, identify what value you hope to derive from the pond and incorporate those features into a carefully planned project. Pre-project planning will reduce long-term maintenance and repairs and lead to a better final result.

Have you ever wondered how creating a backyard pond can increase your property value? If not, you will learn all about it now!

Does Building a Pond Increase Property Value?

Does Building a Pond Increase Property Value

Yes, it does. However, the amount of value depends highly on factors like quality work and beautiful design. It means you will still need a valuable area, excellent quality housework, and an amazing design to get the best value out of your property.

There are many debates about how much value a pond can add to your property. While some suggest that the price might increase up to 7-10%, others believe that the value depends highly on the location of your house.

For example, warm places like California or Florida rarely face snowing or freezing. So, if you have a house with a backyard pond, you are more likely to get a higher price for your property.

However, ponds located in regions that experience heavy snowfall can only be enjoyed in the summer or occasionally in the spring. Because of this, people looking to buy in these areas may see ponds as impractical and won’t be interested in paying extra for them. Hence, your property will end up devaluing.

However, some factors decide how much value will be added to your property. First of all, the place where your pond is located. It’s best to place it in your yard since, no matter what, you would want people to look at the beauty you have in your property.

The quality of the pond materials also plays an important role. Using high-quality products and installation will only raise the price. Pumps and filters will keep the pond water fresh and clean, attracting buyers willing to pay a good value.

Decorations with plants and rocks will enhance the beauty of your yard and make your property appreciated by others.

Why A Backyard Pond Increases Your Property Value?

Installing a pond in your backyard can greatly boost the value of your property

Installing a pond in your backyard can greatly boost the value of your property. However, have you ever thought about why and how it increases the value?

Think about areas near beaches. Who doesn’t like to have a water source right beside their house? The same happens with a pond, which certainly attracts a large number of buyers.

Not only does a pond bring water into your life, but it also gives an aesthetic look to your house, eventually increasing your value. Also, it gives you an elegance and style in the neighborhood.

Buyers love the extra beauty of the house and the fact that it is unique in the area. Hence, they are ready to pay those extra bucks for your property. Also, you will get extra points if your house is in a populated area.

Moreover, you might get a rising value for where ponds are in a supply and demand position area. In that case, any kind of water feature will be considered to be a plus point for your property.

So, you can see that a pond affecting your property value depends highly on the location of your house. But whatever your location is, it will surely increase the value even by 1%.

Things to Consider When Building a Pond

Water Source

The water source for your pond can be the natural water table, seeps or springs, surface runoff, or a combination of any of these. Note that pumping water to supplement a pond can be expensive and affect the flow of any adjacent wells.

Soils

Landowners can excavate a small area before beginning a full-scale operation to assess the soil type fully. Three or four diggings per acre are adequate to assess the soil profile over the site, although more may be required if there are substantial variations in soil conditions.

The suitability of the pond location depends on the ability of the soils and shallow bedrock near the bottom of the pond to hold water. The bottom should contain a waterproof layer and be thick enough to prevent excessive seepage.

Clay and silty clays are excellent soil types for this purpose, while coarse-textured soils, such as sand, gravel, or sand-and-gravel mixes, are highly permeable and often unsuitable. Permeable soil types may be acceptable if they have a spring or seep.

Shape

Ponds can take on any geometric shape, including rectangles, circles, or ellipses. However, you can create a natural shape by fitting the contours of the natural landscape.

Identify major viewpoints from which the pond will be seen. Locate the pond to ensure that the major sight line crosses the longest portion of the pond.

Size

There are factors you need to consider before getting a pond on your property

People typically correlate size with surface water area, not water capacity. But a pond the size of a football field and a foot deep holds the same amount of water as a pond that is a quarter the size of a football field but 10 feet deep.

What Type of Pond Will You Build?

An excavated pond is dug into reasonably flat ground. This type of pond is best suited to locations where the water demand is small. Because excavated ponds can be built to expose a minimum water surface area in proportion to their volume, they are advantageous where evaporation losses are high, and the water source is primarily runoff during the wet season.

The simple design, compactness, low risk of damage from flood flow, and low maintenance requirements make them popular in many areas of the state.

An embankment pond is a pool of water that collects behind a dam. The surrounding areas may have slight to steep slopes. Embankment ponds are more complex than excavated ponds and may require an engineer to design them.

It’s important to ensure water does not back onto an adjacent owner’s property or into an area of specific concern and that no homes, buildings, or roads would be affected by a dam failure.

In a combination pond, excavated material is used to build the dam, saving time and money. An engineer may need to design the project and oversee construction.

What is Your Pond Worth?

Many people don’t manage their ponds actively because they don’t understand how valuable it is. It’s always a good idea to ask, “How much is my pond worth?” Sure, you might not consider swimming in your pond, and it’s too small to use a boat, but it still has more value than you might think. 

If you view the surface as just a barrier in your yard, you’re missing the point. That pond has depth, with three dimensions to consider. A one-acre pond having an average depth of five feet holds 1,630,000 gallons. If all that water were above ground rather than below, it would look much more impressive in the landscape.

Water helps keep temperatures steady and creates a green environment around it. Nothing in the scenery is more important than water. It draws in animals and creates its unique ecosystem. Certain aspects of this ecosystem are more desirable than others. This is when management becomes crucial. You can take steps to manage a pond and experience its natural benefits.

Regarding value, real estate adjoining water has a higher value if it is maintained. Suppose it has some naturally occurring issues, like trash accumulation, algae overproduction, and unkempt vegetation along the edges, making it appear swampy.

In that case, it will negatively affect the property value. This is everyone’s problem nearby since the lower-valued property will be utilized as a comparable property for appraisals.

Steps To Increase The Value Of Your Home With A Pond

you should know how to increase your home's value with a pond

Now that you have a clear idea of how and why a backward pond increases your property value, you should know how to increase your home’s value with a pond.

Step 1: Choosing The Location

First, you will need to choose a place to build your pond that is open from all sides, has no obstacles, and can be easily seen from the outside. Make sure there are no trees beside the area.

Step 2: Think About The Size

After that, you must choose a pond size suitable for the entire yard. While something too big will seem inappropriate in the area, something too small will not be seen easily.

Step 3: Decorations

Adding extra decorations like fish, plants, and rocks will be another plus point for your whole water feature. However, ensure those things are compatible with your weather and region. Also, don’t add things that you won’t be able to maintain regularly.

Step 4: Filters & Pumps

Then come the filters and pumps. If you decide to install those, make sure you choose the ones of high quality. You can’t imagine how much value they will add to your house. You can also invest in chemicals to maintain a healthy pH level and reduce algae and bacteria.

So, the best thing to do is to maintain a proper balance in the area, size, and weather. Also, add some decorations to make the yard look more attractive.

Conclusion

While building a pond can depend on your location and weather, it’s usually a great investment in any area. If you are planning to have a pond on your property, we at Shilling Excavation can help! Please reach out to us today!

Categories
Residential Site Preparation

Experts Reveal: Does Building a Pond Increase Property Value?

having a water feature in the yard usually attracts many potential buyers who are willing to pay a large amount

While adding a pond in your backyard enhances the beauty of your house, it can also add a large number of values to your property that you might not have considered. Does building a pond increase property value? Well, having a water feature in the yard usually attracts many potential buyers who are willing to pay a large amount.

When built correctly, ponds can provide water for livestock and wildlife, fishing, boating, swimming, fire protection, aesthetics, and higher land value. Before digging, identify what value you hope to derive from the pond and incorporate those features into a carefully planned project. Pre-project planning will reduce long-term maintenance and repairs and lead to a better final result.

Have you ever wondered how creating a backyard pond can increase your property value? If not, you will learn all about it now!

Does Building a Pond Increase Property Value?

Does Building a Pond Increase Property Value

Yes, it does. However, the amount of value depends highly on factors like quality work and beautiful design. It means you will still need a valuable area, excellent quality housework, and an amazing design to get the best value out of your property.

There are many debates about how much value a pond can add to your property. While some suggest that the price might increase up to 7-10%, others believe that the value depends highly on the location of your house.

For example, warm places like California or Florida rarely face snowing or freezing. So, if you have a house with a backyard pond, you are more likely to get a higher price for your property.

However, ponds located in regions that experience heavy snowfall can only be enjoyed in the summer or occasionally in the spring. Because of this, people looking to buy in these areas may see ponds as impractical and won’t be interested in paying extra for them. Hence, your property will end up devaluing.

However, some factors decide how much value will be added to your property. First of all, the place where your pond is located. It’s best to place it in your yard since, no matter what, you would want people to look at the beauty you have in your property.

The quality of the pond materials also plays an important role. Using high-quality products and installation will only raise the price. Pumps and filters will keep the pond water fresh and clean, attracting buyers willing to pay a good value.

Decorations with plants and rocks will enhance the beauty of your yard and make your property appreciated by others.

Why A Backyard Pond Increases Your Property Value?

Installing a pond in your backyard can greatly boost the value of your property

Installing a pond in your backyard can greatly boost the value of your property. However, have you ever thought about why and how it increases the value?

Think about areas near beaches. Who doesn’t like to have a water source right beside their house? The same happens with a pond, which certainly attracts a large number of buyers.

Not only does a pond bring water into your life, but it also gives an aesthetic look to your house, eventually increasing your value. Also, it gives you an elegance and style in the neighborhood.

Buyers love the extra beauty of the house and the fact that it is unique in the area. Hence, they are ready to pay those extra bucks for your property. Also, you will get extra points if your house is in a populated area.

Moreover, you might get a rising value for where ponds are in a supply and demand position area. In that case, any kind of water feature will be considered to be a plus point for your property.

So, you can see that a pond affecting your property value depends highly on the location of your house. But whatever your location is, it will surely increase the value even by 1%.

Things to Consider When Building a Pond

Water Source

The water source for your pond can be the natural water table, seeps or springs, surface runoff, or a combination of any of these. Note that pumping water to supplement a pond can be expensive and affect the flow of any adjacent wells.

Soils

Landowners can excavate a small area before beginning a full-scale operation to assess the soil type fully. Three or four diggings per acre are adequate to assess the soil profile over the site, although more may be required if there are substantial variations in soil conditions.

The suitability of the pond location depends on the ability of the soils and shallow bedrock near the bottom of the pond to hold water. The bottom should contain a waterproof layer and be thick enough to prevent excessive seepage.

Clay and silty clays are excellent soil types for this purpose, while coarse-textured soils, such as sand, gravel, or sand-and-gravel mixes, are highly permeable and often unsuitable. Permeable soil types may be acceptable if they have a spring or seep.

Shape

Ponds can take on any geometric shape, including rectangles, circles, or ellipses. However, you can create a natural shape by fitting the contours of the natural landscape.

Identify major viewpoints from which the pond will be seen. Locate the pond to ensure that the major sight line crosses the longest portion of the pond.

Size

There are factors you need to consider before getting a pond on your property

People typically correlate size with surface water area, not water capacity. But a pond the size of a football field and a foot deep holds the same amount of water as a pond that is a quarter the size of a football field but 10 feet deep.

What Type of Pond Will You Build?

An excavated pond is dug into reasonably flat ground. This type of pond is best suited to locations where the water demand is small. Because excavated ponds can be built to expose a minimum water surface area in proportion to their volume, they are advantageous where evaporation losses are high, and the water source is primarily runoff during the wet season.

The simple design, compactness, low risk of damage from flood flow, and low maintenance requirements make them popular in many areas of the state.

An embankment pond is a pool of water that collects behind a dam. The surrounding areas may have slight to steep slopes. Embankment ponds are more complex than excavated ponds and may require an engineer to design them.

It’s important to ensure water does not back onto an adjacent owner’s property or into an area of specific concern and that no homes, buildings, or roads would be affected by a dam failure.

In a combination pond, excavated material is used to build the dam, saving time and money. An engineer may need to design the project and oversee construction.

What is Your Pond Worth?

Many people don’t manage their ponds actively because they don’t understand how valuable it is. It’s always a good idea to ask, “How much is my pond worth?” Sure, you might not consider swimming in your pond, and it’s too small to use a boat, but it still has more value than you might think. 

If you view the surface as just a barrier in your yard, you’re missing the point. That pond has depth, with three dimensions to consider. A one-acre pond having an average depth of five feet holds 1,630,000 gallons. If all that water were above ground rather than below, it would look much more impressive in the landscape.

Water helps keep temperatures steady and creates a green environment around it. Nothing in the scenery is more important than water. It draws in animals and creates its unique ecosystem. Certain aspects of this ecosystem are more desirable than others. This is when management becomes crucial. You can take steps to manage a pond and experience its natural benefits.

Regarding value, real estate adjoining water has a higher value if it is maintained. Suppose it has some naturally occurring issues, like trash accumulation, algae overproduction, and unkempt vegetation along the edges, making it appear swampy.

In that case, it will negatively affect the property value. This is everyone’s problem nearby since the lower-valued property will be utilized as a comparable property for appraisals.

Steps To Increase The Value Of Your Home With A Pond

you should know how to increase your home's value with a pond

Now that you have a clear idea of how and why a backward pond increases your property value, you should know how to increase your home’s value with a pond.

Step 1: Choosing The Location

First, you will need to choose a place to build your pond that is open from all sides, has no obstacles, and can be easily seen from the outside. Make sure there are no trees beside the area.

Step 2: Think About The Size

After that, you must choose a pond size suitable for the entire yard. While something too big will seem inappropriate in the area, something too small will not be seen easily.

Step 3: Decorations

Adding extra decorations like fish, plants, and rocks will be another plus point for your whole water feature. However, ensure those things are compatible with your weather and region. Also, don’t add things that you won’t be able to maintain regularly.

Step 4: Filters & Pumps

Then come the filters and pumps. If you decide to install those, make sure you choose the ones of high quality. You can’t imagine how much value they will add to your house. You can also invest in chemicals to maintain a healthy pH level and reduce algae and bacteria.

So, the best thing to do is to maintain a proper balance in the area, size, and weather. Also, add some decorations to make the yard look more attractive.

Conclusion

While building a pond can depend on your location and weather, it’s usually a great investment in any area. If you are planning to have a pond on your property, we at Shilling Excavation can help! Please reach out to us today!

Categories
Road and Driveway Construction

What Is The Best Type Of Driveway to Install for Improved Safety and Aesthetics?

What Is The Best Type Of Driveway to Install

The driveway is an important aspect of any property as it is the first thing people see when approaching your home or business. A driveway will often say volumes about you as an individual and family and the pride and effort you take in the landscape and exterior of your property. So, what is the best type of driveway to install?

Many driveway options are available, and choosing the most fitting one for your lifestyle and property can be difficult. We have listed several driveway alternatives and their advantages and disadvantages to help you decide on your driveway surface solution.

What Is The Best Type Of Driveway to Install?

Asphalt

An asphalt driveway surface will require professional assistance and maintenance

The best choice to protect your property investment should provide safety, aesthetic, and lifespan benefits. An asphalt driveway surface will require professional assistance and maintenance, such as seal coating, every two to three years, but it provides all the mentioned benefits. It’s a stable and solid option at affordable rates for property owners.

This option is preferred for winter as it is easy to plow snow and has excellent traction benefits. This makes it a very safe and durable option. The challenge will be to guarantee you hire the best professional for the job. The best asphalt driveway installers provide the best materials and added options to protect your investment.

Sloped and curved driveway designs may challenge this surface type during heavy rainfall. This is remedied by installing professional drainage systems that steer stormwater into safe zones away from buildings and home structures.

Concrete

Among the most durable choices on the market is a concrete driveway surface. Although it offers a rigid and stable surface, it depends on professional installation, high upfront costs, maintenance, and weather conditions. This surface is undoubtedly strong, but heavy use and winter freeze-thaw cycles will lead to severe crackling and potholes.

Durability always depends on how it’s used and under what conditions. A driveway with potholes and cracks can be unsafe and unattractive, reducing the overall value of your investment in the long run. It’s important to hire a professional to install concrete. Installing it correctly from the start is the best way to ensure it lasts. While concrete might be good for plowing snow, fixing cracks and potholes can get expensive because it requires heavy equipment and labor.

Gravel

A gravel driveway is one of the more cheaper options

When searching for the cheapest driveway surface option, gravel or aggregate may be the way for you. Since you are searching for something durable, you need a surface that you won’t have to resurface and is always safe for your guests and family. Although gravel is easy to apply and budget for your plans, there are better options than gravel when seeking a well-finished driveway that will last without heavy maintenance and is sustainable under every weather condition.

This is feasible if you like to do things yourself and live in a hot region year-round. However, we don’t recommend gravel for areas that experience harsh winter conditions, such as heavy rain, ice, and snow; drainage must be extremely well-designed, and snow plowing will substantially damage the integrity of the surface. This type of surface makes it hard to develop value for your property investment, and certain Homeowners’ Association (HOA) laws or requirements may not allow it in your area.

Pavers

Another highly durable driveway option is the use of paver stones. Although it includes high upfront and maintenance costs, this option does offer durability and great aesthetic benefits. The value of your investment is highly dependent on its maintenance and professional installation.

There may be better surfaces for those living in areas where it snows. Its slippery nature makes it difficult to plow and unsafe. Like other surfaces mentioned previously, we recommend effective stormwater drainage systems and waterproofing, as this prevents rainfall from penetrating your building structure.

This is a highly attractive option due to its aesthetic appeal and strong surface, but it is less attractive for larger driveway projects, as it may run up your budget. Therefore, our professionals recommend combining it with other durable driveway surface options when planning the design and installation.

Oil and Stone

Oil and stone, or chip and tar, is a mix between gravel and a blacktop surface. When the driveway area has been prepped, a coat of hot oil is applied using a special sprayer attachment. Then, natural stone is installed (raked by hand) over the hot oil, creating a bond that holds the stone in place. A roller compacts the stone for more strength. It should be noted that stone driveways have a rough appearance. Some stones do not touch the oil, so there will be movement on the surface. Regular maintenance is needed to keep the stone in the driveway.   

Oil and stone driveways are economical but not the most durable type. The oil coating will probably help them last longer than gravel driveways. However, because the stones often work their way loose, they won’t hold up as well as an asphalt surface.

What to Ask Yourself When You Want a New Driveway

There are certain things you need to consider when you are thinking of a new driveway

·How much traffic does the driveway get? The more vehicles that travel across your driveway, the more you should consider durability.

·What size and shape do you want the driveway to be? Installation costs can increase if your driveway is odd or if hilly spots need to be flattened.

·How important is your driveway’s appearance? Is a simple concrete or asphalt surface sufficient? Or do you want special features like colored concrete or decorative pavers?

·Do you plan to do it yourself, or do you prefer to hire a contractor? DIY efforts can be time-consuming and are probably best done if you have experience laying driveways and are doing something simple rather than complex.

·What is the climate where you live? The elements impact a driveway, and surface materials vary in durability when exposed to snow, ice, and excessive heat.

·Is this driveway for a residential or commercial property? Commercial properties typically get much more traffic and have other specialty concerns.

Why Is Concrete the Best Type of Driveway?

Cost

The price of installing a concrete driveway is more competitive than that of other materials like interlock pavers.

Low Maintenance

Concrete needs virtually low to no maintenance, which saves both money and time in the long run. It can last over 20 years, and weeds won’t grow on the paved area.

Durability

Concrete is known as one of the most durable landscaping materials, capable of withstanding more damage and use than other options. Concrete can absorb all the abuse in high-traffic areas like driveways and front entrances without indicating its frequent use. If concrete is properly installed, it can last 20+ years.

Appearance

Concrete creates a smooth, sleek look (whether regular concrete or exposed aggregate concrete) without frequent maintenance. It’s an excellent choice to boost curb appeal and make a strong impression on guests and visitors.

Customizable

You can customize your landscape to your heart’s content with a wide range of color palettes and endless pattern, shape, and texture possibilities.

Summer & Winter Friendly

A concrete driveway is considered one of the best types of driveway because of the myriad of benefits it offers

If you have a light-colored concrete surface, it won’t get too hot when the summer sun is blazing, which is great for folks who like to go barefoot. In winter, snow can be shoveled off concrete driveways without much trouble.

Ready For A New Driveway? Proper Installation Is Vital

If a friend or neighbor has complained regarding the quality of their driveway, it may need to be installed correctly. That’s too bad since a quality installation using top-of-the-line materials is one of the best driveway options.

An unqualified contractor can do many things wrong that will influence the look and performance of your driveway.

We at Shilling Excavation can help you design your ideal driveway. Our crew can help you choose the best driveway materials to ensure that you have a durable, safe, and aesthetically-pleasing driveway.

Categories
Road and Driveway Construction

What Is The Best Type Of Driveway to Install

What Is The Best Type Of Driveway to Install

The driveway is an important aspect of any property as it is the first thing people see when approaching your home or business. A driveway will often say volumes about you as an individual and family and the pride and effort you take in the landscape and exterior of your property. So, what is the best type of driveway to install?

Many driveway options are available, and choosing the most fitting one for your lifestyle and property can be difficult. We have listed several driveway alternatives and their advantages and disadvantages to help you decide on your driveway surface solution.

Asphalt

An asphalt driveway surface will require professional assistance and maintenance

The best choice to protect your property investment should provide safety, aesthetic, and lifespan benefits. An asphalt driveway surface will require professional assistance and maintenance, such as seal coating, every two to three years, but it provides all the mentioned benefits. It’s a stable and solid option at affordable rates for property owners.

This option is preferred for winter as it is easy to plow snow and has excellent traction benefits. This makes it a very safe and durable option. The challenge will be to guarantee you hire the best professional for the job. The best asphalt driveway installers provide the best materials and added options to protect your investment.

Sloped and curved driveway designs may challenge this surface type during heavy rainfall. This is remedied by installing professional drainage systems that steer stormwater into safe zones away from buildings and home structures.

Concrete

Among the most durable choices on the market is a concrete driveway surface. Although it offers a rigid and stable surface, it depends on professional installation, high upfront costs, maintenance, and weather conditions. This surface is undoubtedly strong, but heavy use and winter freeze-thaw cycles will lead to severe crackling and potholes.

Durability always depends on how it’s used and under what conditions. A driveway with potholes and cracks can be unsafe and unattractive, reducing the overall value of your investment in the long run. It’s important to hire a professional to install concrete. Installing it correctly from the start is the best way to ensure it lasts. While concrete might be good for plowing snow, fixing cracks and potholes can get expensive because it requires heavy equipment and labor.

Gravel

A gravel driveway is one of the more cheaper options

When searching for the cheapest driveway surface option, gravel or aggregate may be the way for you. Since you are searching for something durable, you need a surface that you won’t have to resurface and is always safe for your guests and family. Although gravel is easy to apply and budget for your plans, there are better options than gravel when seeking a well-finished driveway that will last without heavy maintenance and is sustainable under every weather condition.

This is feasible if you like to do things yourself and live in a hot region year-round. However, we don’t recommend gravel for areas that experience harsh winter conditions, such as heavy rain, ice, and snow; drainage must be extremely well-designed, and snow plowing will substantially damage the integrity of the surface. This type of surface makes it hard to develop value for your property investment, and certain Homeowners’ Association (HOA) laws or requirements may not allow it in your area.

Pavers

Another highly durable driveway option is the use of paver stones. Although it includes high upfront and maintenance costs, this option does offer durability and great aesthetic benefits. The value of your investment is highly dependent on its maintenance and professional installation.

There may be better surfaces for those living in areas where it snows. Its slippery nature makes it difficult to plow and unsafe. Like other surfaces mentioned previously, we recommend effective stormwater drainage systems and waterproofing, as this prevents rainfall from penetrating your building structure.

This is a highly attractive option due to its aesthetic appeal and strong surface, but it is less attractive for larger driveway projects, as it may run up your budget. Therefore, our professionals recommend combining it with other durable driveway surface options when planning the design and installation.

Oil and Stone

Oil and stone, or chip and tar, is a mix between gravel and a blacktop surface. When the driveway area has been prepped, a coat of hot oil is applied using a special sprayer attachment. Then, natural stone is installed (raked by hand) over the hot oil, creating a bond that holds the stone in place. A roller compacts the stone for more strength. It should be noted that stone driveways have a rough appearance. Some stones do not touch the oil, so there will be movement on the surface. Regular maintenance is needed to keep the stone in the driveway. Bluestone and pea gravel are two (2) popular stone choices on Long Island.     

Oil and stone driveways are economical but not the most durable type. The oil coating will probably help them last longer than gravel driveways. However, because the stones often work their way loose, they won’t hold up as well as an asphalt surface.

What to Ask Yourself When You Want a New Driveway

There are certain things you need to consider when you are thinking of a new driveway

·How much traffic does the driveway get? The more vehicles that travel across your driveway, the more you should consider durability.

·What size and shape do you want the driveway to be? Installation costs can increase if your driveway is odd or if hilly spots need to be flattened.

·How important is your driveway’s appearance? Is a simple concrete or asphalt surface sufficient? Or do you want special features like colored concrete or decorative pavers?

·Do you plan to do it yourself, or do you prefer to hire a contractor? DIY efforts can be time-consuming and are probably best done if you have experience laying driveways and are doing something simple rather than complex.

·What is the climate where you live? The elements impact a driveway, and surface materials vary in durability when exposed to snow, ice, and excessive heat.

·Is this driveway for a residential or commercial property? Commercial properties typically get much more traffic and have other specialty concerns.

Why Is Concrete the Best Type of Driveway?

Cost

The price of installing a concrete driveway is more competitive than that of other materials like interlock pavers.

Low Maintenance

Concrete needs virtually low to no maintenance, which saves both money and time in the long run. It can last over 20 years, and weeds won’t grow on the paved area.

Durability

Concrete is known as one of the most durable landscaping materials, capable of withstanding more damage and use than other options. Concrete can absorb all the abuse in high-traffic areas like driveways and front entrances without indicating its frequent use. If concrete is properly installed, it can last 20+ years.

Appearance

Concrete creates a smooth, sleek look (whether regular concrete or exposed aggregate concrete) without frequent maintenance. It’s an excellent choice to boost curb appeal and make a strong impression on guests and visitors.

Customizable

You can customize your landscape to your heart’s content with a wide range of color palettes and endless pattern, shape, and texture possibilities.

Summer & Winter Friendly

A concrete driveway is considered one of the best types of driveway because of the myriad of benefits it offers

If you have a light-colored concrete surface, it won’t get too hot when the summer sun is blazing, which is great for folks who like to go barefoot. In winter, snow can be shoveled off concrete driveways without much trouble.

Ready For A New Driveway? Proper Installation Is Vital

If a friend or neighbor has complained regarding the quality of their driveway, it may need to be installed correctly. That’s too bad since a quality installation using top-of-the-line materials is one of the best driveway options.

An unqualified contractor can do many things wrong that will influence the look and performance of your driveway.

We at Shilling Excavation can help you design your ideal driveway. Our design crew can help you choose the best driveway materials, landscaping options, and lighting to complement your new driveway.

Categories
Land Clearing Work Tree Excavation Services

Understanding the Process of Tree Stump Removal: Are Tree Stumps Hard to Remove

Removing a tree stump presents a certain number of advantages

Are tree stumps hard to remove? Have you ever tried to remove a tree stump yourself? If so, you know how labor-intensive and difficult the task can be. Many try to do it themselves rather than hiring professionals, but there are better options than this.

Why Should You Remove A Tree Stump?

Removing a tree stump presents a certain number of advantages that you should be aware of.

It Can Prevent The Proliferation Of Insects

While we welcome certain insects, such as ladybugs, in our gardens, we avoid others, such as carpenter ants. By grinding a tree stump, you’ll eliminate a possible source of refuge and nourishment for these pests, parasites, fungi, and certain undesirable animals that might wish to establish housekeeping there. For instance, skunks and raccoons are particularly fond of abandoned tree stumps.

It Can Free Up Space

 If you’ve decided to cut down a tree, it may have been a simple matter of making more room on your property. If so, leaving the stump in place would defeat the purpose. You’re better off fully removing it to benefit fully from the recovered space.

You’ll also prevent the growth of new shoots, which would otherwise appear each spring. You can always cut them off, but it can take years for the tree to die down to the roots. Removing the stump is much faster and more efficient.

It can increase the value of your property. A tree stump on your property translates into a lower resale value. Tree stumps give potential homebuyers the impression that your yard is unkempt. Don’t risk losing a sale because of a neglected stump!

For all practical purposes, you can plant a new tree where you removed the old one, especially if you cut it down because it was diseased or too large. Otherwise, you can fill in the hole and plant some grass.

When Should You Remove A Tree Stump?

Are Tree Stumps Hard to Remove

The sooner you remove the stump after cutting a tree, the better your chances of preventing new shoots.

Nevertheless, the ideal season to remove a tree stump is summer. The ground will be dryer and simpler to excavate. As a result, removing the stump will be less likely to require the use of heavy equipment, which can result in significant damage to your yard.

What Does The Stump Removal Process Consist Of?

The stump’s size will determine the tool or machinery used to remove or grind it. A shovel and a saw will often do the trick. If so, you can remove the stump yourself. However, in other cases, you’ll need heavier equipment to get rid of it. Remember to consider the grade of your property, as well as anything that is near the stump. To prevent accidents or a lot of hard work for nothing, the best solution is often to call on the services of professionals.

Why You Shouldn’t DIY Stump Removal: Are Tree Stumps Hard to Remove?

Removing a tree stump can be dangerous

Removing a tree stump can be dangerous, as the removal process often involves using heavy machinery and sharp tools. To ensure a safe stump removal process, it is wise to enlist the help of a professional. Professional stump removal services have all the safety equipment and tools to safely and efficiently remove the stump from your property.

Furthermore, they understand the risks involved in operating heavy machinery and can work quickly and efficiently to get the job done. With the help of experienced professionals, you can rest assured that your stump removal process will be safe but also effective and long-lasting.

Additionally, there is the potential for injury when attempting to remove a stump without professionally trained personnel – even experienced do-it-yourselfers can make mistakes that lead to injury or property damage.

Meanwhile, excavation is often required for stump removal, which can be hazardous to inexperienced or untrained personnel.

Even experienced do-it-yourselfers can run into issues leading to injury or property damage if the excavation is improper. It is important to remember safety when attempting to remove a stump, and hiring professionally trained personnel is the safest way to ensure the job is done correctly.

Why Should I Remove My Tree Stump?

Aesthetics

Simply put, a tree stump can make a beautiful garden appear unsightly. Removing the stump creates space for a building structure—such as a home extension, shed, or greenhouse—and can pave the way for a new lawn, patio, or decking. As such, this can increase a property’s value.

Safety

A tree stump jutting out from the ground creates a major hazard in the garden, particularly for young children exploring or pets playing in the open space. Correct excavation of the stump will transform unused areas in the garden into safe outdoor living spaces.

Eliminate Disease

removing your tree stump can bring lots of benefits for your property

When a tree becomes infected by fungus, it is important that as much of the infected stump and roots are removed as soon as possible so the fungus does not spread to the other trees in the garden. If a tree has died or was unsuitable for the garden, the stump and roots have to be completely removed to replace the tree.

Ways To Remove A Tree Stump

Use Chemicals

Getting rid of a tree stump with chemicals requires the least manual labor. However, this procedure does take some time, particularly if the stump needs to be removed is substantial.

Since you let the annoying stump break down naturally, getting rid of it could take up to a whole year in some cases. If you already have a chainsaw and a drill, the good news is you will only need to spend a little money on this process.

Manual Removal

Hand stump removal takes more work, yet it is a fast and efficient way to complete the task. This method works best for small to medium tree trunks.

Burn the Stump

This is a quick way to remove the tree stump, but if you live in a community, you should check with your neighbors first to see if using kerosene on the stump is okay.

Tree stumps should not be burned on site because they are usually too wet right after being cut. Other things to consider include the time it will take and whether it is safe to burn them there.

Use A Stump Grinder

Renting a stump grinder could be your best solution for use

If you have a large stump or several old stumps to remove, renting a stump grinder could be your best solution for use. Renting a stump grinder from your neighborhood hardware or home improvement store often sets you back between $100 and $200 a day. You’ll also need a few supplementary tools, such as the following:

  • Mattock
  • Rake
  • Shovel
  • Chainsaw

Stump grinders are substantial equipment that can weigh up to one thousand pounds. Therefore, before you rent one, you must ensure that you have a vehicle capable of transporting it to and from your residence or that the company you rent it from can deliver and remove it.

Call In The Pros

If you need more than weeks, spend hours on the task, set fires, or use heavy machinery, you can always hire someone whose profession is to remove tree stumps as their career to help you out.

Wrapping up

In conclusion, it’s always best to leave tree stump removal to professionals. Professional stump removal businesses have the equipment and experience to safely and efficiently remove unsightly tree stumps. Additionally, they’ll dispose of the tree stumps themselves, which saves you time and energy. If you’re looking for an efficient, safe, and cost-effective way to remove tree stumps on your property, hiring a professional like us is the way to go.

Categories
Excavation Professionals

What Are the Issues in Excavation: A Quick Guide on Excavation Safety

Proper measures should be followed during excavation to ensure safety.

You do not have to be an expert to know that earthmoving and excavation are high-risk jobs. Excavation services professionals must overcome various challenges to carry out their duties successfully.

That is why, if you plan to hire an excavation company, you must hire a reputable and competent one who will overcome these challenges with flying colors.

In this article, we discuss some challenges professionals face and overcome as we answer the question: What are the issues in excavation?

What Is Excavation in Construction?

What are the issues in excavation?

The excavating team can only begin working on any construction project if the site has already been surveyed. This is where grading comes in.

Grading involves studying the project site. Grading covers all these things, from soil types to distances to facilities or structures to the slopes of the land.

The excavating team then designs a project plan detailing the machinery needed for the job, schedules, etc. After that, they’ll get the necessary licenses and permits to start developing the site.

What Are the Issues in Excavation?

The Slopes and The Angles

These are some of the greatest challenges in excavation. Even the flattest lands generally have a slope, even if it is just a slender, negligible angle. Naturally, this slope, notwithstanding how slender it might be, will greatly affect the excavation due to the problems inherent to the slope of the earth.

This is a fundamental geometry that the specialists have to deal with.

The greater the slope angle, the more the excavators have to ensure that the water does not keep on constantly running into the foundation and that the gravitational forces do not cause the construction to lean with time. To counter this challenge, the concept of constructing swales comes into play to divert the flow of the water.

Countering Troublesome Water

There are challenges that can make excavation dangerous.

While water is an essential component in construction, it can be detrimental to exaction and earth movement. Indeed, water, at times, poses the most significant challenge. If the area’s water table is shallow and the moisture content of the soil to be moved is high, then the earthmoving service experts have quite a task in hand.

Sometimes, the specialists bump against unexpected issues like waterlogged grounds and constant water flooding. These pros must use their knowledge and experience to overcome the challenge.

At times, they would adopt additional processes like digging several supportive trenches as well as deep wells, which would force the water somewhere else, away from the excavation site.

Countering The Rocks

This is another challenge that these professionals would face. The extent of hassle the excavators face depends on the type and extent of rocks. And as the challenges unfold, the pros take adequate measures to counter them.

Dealing With The Soil

The soil itself is another predicament faced by every excavation company. One of the stiffest challenges is that, considering the moisture content and makeup, the soil can quickly cave back into the pits and holes. Again, it will behave differently if the soil is a bit on the softer side or grainy. Hard soil will again act differently. Thus, depending on the type of soil they are dealing with, the excavation companies will take adequate measures.

The Threat Of A Cave-In

A cave-in during construction can be really dangerous.

Numerous potential hazards exist when working in trenches and excavations. The most typical hazard is the threat of cave-in, which occurs when the walls of an excavation collapse.

Cave-ins can be deadly. Wall failures usually occur suddenly, with little or no time for workers to react. The soil’s weight crushes and twists the body, causing serious injury or even death in a matter of minutes.

Excavations need not be deep or large to create a life-threatening hazard, so every excavation project must be taken seriously.

Why do cave-ins occur? The nearby soil’s natural horizontal and vertical forces keep undisturbed soil in place. When we dig into the earth, these natural forces can no longer hold back the soil left behind.

With no support, the laws of gravity eventually take over, and the soil from the excavation walls moves downward and inward into the excavation. The result is a cave-in.

How to Avoid Excavation Issues Through Good Construction Practices

  • Stop excavation once water seepage into the excavated area surpasses the dewatering system’s capacity. Apply corrective measures to control the issue.
  • However, the increase in water seepage is due to temporary factors like heavy rain. In that case, the issue will disappear quickly and need no further measures aside from halting excavation.
  • Sometimes, groundwater seepage is low, but too much hydrostatic pressure beneath the rather impervious soil layer creates uplift pressure, leading to foundation instability.
  • Carefully observe the excavation work and search for signs of uplift pressures, like the upliftment of the ground surface, development of soft wet areas, lateral movement, piping of materials from the slope, or uncontrolled seepage flow.
  • Record the quantity of disposed water from the excavated area accurately to monitor any increase in water flow into the excavated area.
  • Surface water is another source of problems that may arise during excavation. Provide proper surface drainage, like a ditch, to divert surface runoff, or else the excavated area will suddenly fill with water, causing construction delays.
  • Maintain the surface drainage to keep the excavated spot in good condition until the end of the backfilling process. Moreover, strategically install snow fences around the excavation spot to protect it from drifting snow.
  • If the excavation needs shoring and bracing, install shoring and bracing before allowing the excavation to cut. The lateral pressure of moved soil after excavation is more significant than that of unmoved soil.
  • Provide enough distance between the excavation edge and the location of operating heavy machinery and stockpiling to prevent endangering the stability of the excavated area.
  • Prevent excessive erosion of excavation slopes. During heavy rain, cover the excavation slopes with polyethylene sheeting, straw, and silt fences.
  • Classify excavated material into different classes of backfill and stockpile it accordingly. Add water to the backfill material to attain the optimum moisture content for compaction. Protect the backfill material to avoid water entry.

Before You Hire a Team for Your Excavation Project

Hiring professionals is key in ensuring a safe and efficient excavation project.

Before proceeding with the project, you should discuss certain things with your excavation team. These include erosion and sediment control, as well as clearing and grubbing.

If there are erosion issues, the excavating team must be ready with mechanical and vegetative measures to control the problem. Otherwise, inspectors could stop the whole project.

Clearing and grubbing, on the other hand, involve disposing of brush, trees, stumps, and roots. There are specific laws and ordinances regarding this, so it’s best to check with your state before burning the cleared objects.

Some Tips for Hiring an Excavation Contractor

Now that you know the essentials for starting an excavation project, the next step is to hire the right excavation contractor.

One factor that will affect your decision is the scale of your project. If you need full-service excavation, you can only hire one that does septic tank installations, for example.

You’ll also want to hire a company with years of experience and the right equipment for all kinds of excavating jobs. While it’s tempting to hire someone who offers low rates, what’s more important is the quality of the work. Go for a contractor who knows how to meet and exceed industry standards and is licensed, bonded, and insured.

Looking for Excavating Services?

We can help. We provide excavating and grading services at reasonable prices. Don’t hesitate to call us for more information on how we can help your upcoming excavation project.

Categories
Land Clearing Work Uncategorized

What Are the Issues in Excavation: A Quick Guide on Excavation Safety

Trench excavation is essential in any construction site.

You do not have to be an expert to know that earthmoving and excavation are high-risk jobs. Excavation services professionals must overcome various challenges to carry out their duties successfully.

That is why, if you plan to hire an excavation company, you must hire a reputable and competent one who will overcome these challenges with flying colors.

In this article, we discuss some challenges professionals face and overcome as we answer the question: What are the issues in excavation?

What Is Excavation in Construction?

What are the issues in excavation?

The excavating team can only begin working on any construction project if the site has already been surveyed. This is where grading comes in.

Grading involves studying the project site. Grading covers all these things, from soil types to distances to facilities or structures to the slopes of the land.

The excavating team then designs a project plan detailing the machinery needed for the job, schedules, etc. After that, they’ll get the necessary licenses and permits to start developing the site.

What Are the Issues in Excavation?

The Slopes and The Angles

These are some of the greatest challenges in excavation. Even the flattest lands generally have a slope, even if it is just a slender, negligible angle. Naturally, this slope, notwithstanding how slender it might be, will greatly affect the excavation due to the problems inherent to the slope of the earth.

This is a fundamental geometry that the specialists have to deal with.

The greater the slope angle, the more the excavators have to ensure that the water does not keep on constantly running into the foundation and that the gravitational forces do not cause the construction to lean with time. To counter this challenge, the concept of constructing swales comes into play to divert the flow of the water.

Countering Troublesome Water

There are challenges that can make excavation dangerous.

While water is an essential component in construction, it can be detrimental to exaction and earth movement. Indeed, water, at times, poses the most significant challenge. If the area’s water table is shallow and the moisture content of the soil to be moved is high, then the earthmoving service experts have quite a task in hand.

Sometimes, the specialists bump against unexpected issues like waterlogged grounds and constant water flooding. These pros must use their knowledge and experience to overcome the challenge.

At times, they would adopt additional processes like digging several supportive trenches as well as deep wells, which would force the water somewhere else, away from the excavation site.

Countering The Rocks

This is another challenge that these professionals would face. The extent of hassle the excavators face depends on the type and extent of rocks. And as the challenges unfold, the pros take adequate measures to counter them.

Dealing With The Soil

The soil itself is another predicament faced by every excavation company. One of the stiffest challenges is that, considering the moisture content and makeup, the soil can quickly cave back into the pits and holes. Again, it will behave differently if the soil is a bit on the softer side or grainy. Hard soil will again act differently. Thus, depending on the type of soil they are dealing with, the excavation companies will take adequate measures.

The Threat Of A Cave-In

A cave-in during construction can be really dangerous.

Numerous potential hazards exist when working in trenches and excavations. The most typical hazard is the threat of cave-in, which occurs when the walls of an excavation collapse.

Cave-ins can be deadly. Wall failures usually occur suddenly, with little or no time for workers to react. The soil’s weight crushes and twists the body, causing serious injury or even death in a matter of minutes.

Excavations need not be deep or large to create a life-threatening hazard, so every excavation project must be taken seriously.

Why do cave-ins occur? The nearby soil’s natural horizontal and vertical forces keep undisturbed soil in place. When we dig into the earth, these natural forces can no longer hold back the soil left behind.

With no support, the laws of gravity eventually take over, and the soil from the excavation walls moves downward and inward into the excavation. The result is a cave-in.

How to Avoid Excavation Issues Through Good Construction Practices

  • Stop excavation once water seepage into the excavated area surpasses the dewatering system’s capacity. Apply corrective measures to control the issue.
  • However, the increase in water seepage is due to temporary factors like heavy rain. In that case, the issue will disappear quickly and need no further measures aside from halting excavation.
  • Sometimes, groundwater seepage is low, but too much hydrostatic pressure beneath the rather impervious soil layer creates uplift pressure, leading to foundation instability.
  • Carefully observe the excavation work and search for signs of uplift pressures, like the upliftment of the ground surface, development of soft wet areas, lateral movement, piping of materials from the slope, or uncontrolled seepage flow.
  • Record the quantity of disposed water from the excavated area accurately to monitor any increase in water flow into the excavated area.
  • Surface water is another source of problems that may arise during excavation. Provide proper surface drainage, like a ditch, to divert surface runoff, or else the excavated area will suddenly fill with water, causing construction delays.
  • Maintain the surface drainage to keep the excavated spot in good condition until the end of the backfilling process. Moreover, strategically install snow fences around the excavation spot to protect it from drifting snow.
  • If the excavation needs shoring and bracing, install shoring and bracing before allowing the excavation to cut. The lateral pressure of moved soil after excavation is more significant than that of unmoved soil.
  • Provide enough distance between the excavation edge and the location of operating heavy machinery and stockpiling to prevent endangering the stability of the excavated area.
  • Prevent excessive erosion of excavation slopes. During heavy rain, cover the excavation slopes with polyethylene sheeting, straw, and silt fences.
  • Classify excavated material into different classes of backfill and stockpile it accordingly. Add water to the backfill material to attain the optimum moisture content for compaction. Protect the backfill material to avoid water entry.

Before You Hire a Team for Your Excavation Project

Hiring professionals is key in ensuring a safe and efficient excavation project.

Before proceeding with the project, you should discuss certain things with your excavation extractor. These include erosion and sediment control, as well as clearing and grubbing.

If there are erosion issues, the excavating team must be ready with mechanical and vegetative measures to control the problem. Otherwise, inspectors could stop the whole project.

Clearing and grubbing, on the other hand, involve disposing of brush, trees, stumps, and roots. There are specific laws and ordinances regarding this, so it’s best to check with your state before burning the cleared objects.

Some Tips for Hiring an Excavation Contractor

Now that you know the essentials for starting an excavation project, the next step is to hire the right excavation contractor.

One factor that will affect your decision is the scale of your project. If you need full-service excavation, you can only hire one that does septic tank installations, for example.

You’ll also want to hire a company with years of experience and the right equipment for all kinds of excavating jobs. While it’s tempting to hire someone who offers low rates, what’s more important is the quality of the work. Go for a contractor who knows how to meet and exceed industry standards and is licensed, bonded, and insured.

Looking for Excavating Services?

We can help. We provide excavating and grading services at reasonable prices. Don’t hesitate to call us for more information on how we can help your upcoming excavation project.

Categories
Road and Driveway Construction

Unveiling the Process of How Is a Driveway Built for Endurance and Appeal

how is a driveway built

How is a driveway built to be long-lasting and improve your home’s curb appeal? It is a craft that involves more than pouring concrete or asphalt on the ground. Driveways are your property’s first remarks, the first step. In short, the welcome mat for your guests. As a result, the structure must exhibit enough durability and longevity. It also increases your home’s curb appeal. Let us now discuss how the processes change a bare land into a unique distinction for your home.

What Is a Driveway and Why It Matters

A driveway is a structural element of the architecture and functionality of your home. It goes much beyond the area where you park your car. Your driveway needs to be something pleasant to your eye when you look at the front of your house. Then, it needs to be sturdy enough to withstand decades of use and the effects of weather conditions.

house driveway
  • The Role of a Driveway in Home Design: Its condition and design have a big impact on curb appeal. It’s affecting how people view your house. The driveway and the house’s exterior should blend.
  • Functionality Meets Style: Combine built-in access to cars with visual appeal for the site. Depending on the general style, the yard should look structured and attractive. This way, you can keep its purpose as a decoration of the house in any weather condition.
  • Endurance and Appeal Integration: Use stable materials and construction methods for a house to last a long time. Building the smoothest, longest-lasting surface workable is accomplished with a well-painted design. A well-painted design is another crucial factor in creating a driveway. It complements the house’s architecture and landscape and is useful for parking.
  • Impact on Home Value: A well-cleaned driveway creates a big difference in perceived and real home value. It improves the homes. It also indicates the state of the properties, that is, whether the property is well cared for and maintained.

How Is a Driveway Built: A Step-by-Step Guide

There are various stages involved in installing a driveway. All stages are essential to the paved area’s ultimate functionality and unique design appearance. An outline of each driveway construction stage is provided below. The list also includes pertinent priorities to take into account: 

planning a driveway
  1. Design and Planning: How your driveway will look is determined at this point. Start with designing a layout that integrates nicely with the architecture of your home. Also, make sure the design meets your functional needs. This includes considering factors such as the size, shape, and materials used.
  2. Excavation and Grading: After the plan is established, then it is time to get the site ready. This involves excavating to the required depth and grading the area to ensure a proper slope for water drainage. The aim here is to create a stable and level base that avoids water pooling, which can cause damage over time.
  3. Base Layer Installation: A robust base layer is the foundation of a durable driveway. In this step, materials like gravel or crushed stone are laid out and compacted. The base material’s thickness and composition might change to ensure that it can support the weight of cars without moving or sinking. This depends on the kind of soil and the anticipated load on the driveway.
  4. Material Application: A distinct application procedure is needed for each surface material placed on top of the base layer. For example, when pouring and leveling concrete, asphalt must be spread uniformly and compacted. Conversely, pavers must be individually put and aligned. Careful attention to detail is necessary to guarantee a consistent surface.
  5. Finishing Touches: The final touches are what give the driveway its character and enhance its functionality. This can include sealing the surface to protect against weather and wear. It adds decorative edges or borders for aesthetic appeal. It also implements landscaping elements that complement the driveway’s design.

Exploring the Foundation of a Quality Driveway

Is a Driveway Part of Foundation: Integrating Stability and Design

When building a driveway, one can ask, “Is a driveway part of the foundation?” The question concerns the terminology of a general driveway and one related to construction. The unknown fact was that the house’s base and the driveway’s base are connected in several ways. It gives them dual functional and decoration purposes. 

  • Foundation Interaction: House foundations and driveways are usually interconnected. A high-quality driveway lifts the surrounding area. It can prevent the neighboring foundation from ever settling and cracking. 
  • Design Synergy: Selecting the highest quality materials improves the design. It helps create the driveway with an equally reliable base.

Key Elements of a Durable and Attractive Driveway

essentials for durable and attractive driveway

What Makes a Good Driveway: Materials and Methods

Have you ever thought about what makes a good driveway? A personal driveway is all about specially thought-over planning. It is about materials selection and strict adherence to design and construction techniques. This is to ensure that it is the best driveway in terms of volume, appearance, and life expectancy. 

  • Material Selection: The basis for a quality driveway is using proper material. It should depend on the purpose of the parking space. Another factor to consider is the weather condition, and the style of the home. Concrete and asphalt are preferred for their strength and durability. Since they can support heavier loads and endure harsh weather conditions. Moreover, pavers and gravel offer unique aesthetics. It can also be placed into numerous patterns to give a house a distinctive look.
  • Drainage System:  Good water management is essential to preserving the driveway’s condition. Standing water can lead to deterioration, erosion, and even foundation damage. It is possible to preserve the integrity of both the roadway and the house structure. Install a drainage system and make sure that water drains off of it and away from the foundation.
  • Installation Technique: The construction quality affects the driveway’s lifespan and functionality. It is important to get the accurate foundation laying, compaction, and drainage slope gauge. With the help of experts, its easier to understand how different materials behave in different situations. Therefore producing the best results.

Maintaining Your Driveway for Longevity and Aesthetics

Preserving Your Investment: Tips for Driveway Upkeep

A driveway is something you can use for a long time if you take very good care of it and make sure that it remains in good shape. By doing this, not only will your yard look perfect, but it will also increase the curb appeal of your home. Below are some vital tips to keep your driveway in top condition:

  • Regular Cleaning:  If you keep your driveway free of dirt, leaves, and other debris, its attractiveness will last. Frequent cleaning aids in preventing buildup that, over time, could cause erosion and cracks. 
  • Sealant Application: Coat your driveway with a high-quality sealer to shield it from wear and weather damage. Your driveway will last longer thanks to this protective coating, giving it an ever-new appearance.
  • Prompt Repairs: Repairs should be made promptly. This is to prevent small cracks or damages from growing into larger ones that could lead to more concerns. Prompt action could preserve integrity and avoid the need for costly repairs down the road.

The Everlasting Outcome of a Properly Constructed Driveway

A driveway that is both functional and eye-catching contributes an exclusive appeal to your home. It typifies sturdiness, adaptability, and loveliness, with each building material showcasing its distinctiveness. The aesthetic and practical nature of a driveway that has been properly constructed can greatly improve the value of your house.

To add or improve a parking lot, you should seek professional assistance. Shilling Excavation understands how to take full advantage of the capabilities of your plot using quality materials combined with accurate construction methods. Therefore, this approach will guarantee a long-lasting pavement in front of your dwelling, enhancing the significance of having a well-thought-out driveway that fits your property’s general aesthetic and purpose.