What Is Excavation, and Why Is It Important?

Excavation is the process of removing soil and rock from a work area to create a tunnel, trench, hole or cavity for construction or infrastructural work. The process of excavation can involve methods such as trenching, drilling or grading, and will usually require the use of heavy machinery such as excavators, backhoes, bulldozers and other such vehicles.

The excavation process is often a critical part of the early stages of construction. Without solid excavation services being performed early on, it would be difficult to create a strong foundation for a construction project, as these foundations need stability and proper grading and drainage.

What do excavators do? Here’s an overview of what you can expect out of the excavation process:

• Land preparation: Before digging can begin, the excavation team works with other experts to prepare the site. Permitting agencies, utility companies and others must inspect the site and determine if there are any particular steps that need to be taken before work begins. Then, the land preparation process includes clearing brush, trees, logs and boulders, as well as staking out the area.
• Digging: The excavation team will perform work such as demolishing pre-existing structures, digging up the earth according to specifications, grading and smoothing the soil and hauling away excess dirt and debris. Grading companies make sure the soil is prepared for proper drainage and that the area is fully stable for any construction project that is about to occur.
• Trenching: Trenching is a necessary process in many cases for laying foundation footings, installing utility lines and laying down sewage, drainage and water pipes.
• Finishing: Additional work may be required for projects, such as moving earth to fill in lower areas or performing other types of grading work for better drainage.

For excavation to be successful, the entire process must be rigorously planned out so all of the professionals involved have an understanding of the work that lies ahead and can accomplish it safely and efficiently. Teams must work together to develop excavation schedules, and must do their part in following all of the defined steps in those schedules in the proper sequences.

It is critical to address drainage and stormwater management as part of the project to ensure the structural integrity of the project will not be compromised. Standing water or water that flows against a foundation can wreak havoc on the structure and cause it to rapidly weaken, making a structural failure or collapse significantly more likely.

Early planning is also critical for ensuring teams are aware of the locations of any underground utility lines and have plans to either avoid them or work around/replace them as needed.

Strong excavation work requires good communication among all participants and trust on the part of the client that the pros will get the job done correctly. For more information about what excavators do, reach out to the team at Estes Excavating Inc. with any questions you have about the services we provide. We look forward to discussing your next project with you.

Categorised in: Excavation Services

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