If you are thinking of adding an inground pool to your Newton, MA, backyard or any other type of landscape feature that requires quite a bit of digging, there are some critical things to know about excavation. Here is a guide to the basics of safe excavation for your project.
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Possible Hazards of Excavation
Because excavating can be very dangerous, awareness of the pitfalls can be essential to keeping a project on track time-wise and safe for those working there.
Underground Utilities: Before digging even one bucket of dirt, all of the utilities that are buried where the digging will take place should be identified. All utilities should be clearly marked and excavation should take place as far away as possible to avoid damaging the lines and disrupting service.
Safe Entry and Exit from the Site: Safely entering and exiting the worksite is important to prevent any injuries to those who are working on the project, as well as for the homeowners who will certainly be interested in the progress.
Proper Barriers: When dirt and other debris are removed, proper barriers are necessary to keep the soil from falling back in, as well as to keep people out of the work zone. Protecting the workers and others around the excavation site is critical for the safety of all involved.
Reasons for Excavation
Land Clearing: Any time a home or building is scheduled for construction, the land must be cleared appropriately before any building can start. The excavation contractor will remove trees, stumps, plants, and any vegetation that has been selected to be cleared so that a blank slate is ready for construction.
Grading and Leveling: Grading and leveling refer to the process by which an excavation contractor makes the building lot level and removes all slopes that might cause water to stand in puddles near any structure. Water that remains too close or runs toward a structure can cause costly damage to the building in the form of mold, mildew, and seeping water.
Site Work Construction: In order for a building site to be properly prepared for construction, the driveway must be graded, the septic system must be installed underground, filtration systems must be installed for drainage, and any other digging must occur before construction can begin.
Rock Removal: Any large rocks or boulders that stand in the way of construction or landscape plans need to be removed using heavy equipment. The excavation contractor then removes them from the site, grading the terrain so that it is ready for building.
Dry Well Installation: A dry well is an underground system that disposes of underground water using a chamber with holes that can allow the water to seep slowly back into the ground. This is an effective way to deal with stormwater and run-off that can cause erosion.
When choosing an excavation contractor for grading and leveling a piece of land, whether for a Newton, MA, future building or for an existing one that has drainage issues that affect the integrity of the structure, it is important to find a professional with experience in drainage, grading, lot clearing, and re-sloping. An excavation specialist with the best equipment and access to the latest technology can mean that your property is prepared for any future construction and that the integrity of your structure will stand the test of time.
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