A Step-by-Step Guide on the Excavation Process
Constructing a house, building, or facility is much more than just gathering materials and assembling them on-site. Before all that happens, excavation work is first done on the property, and without it, contractors will not be able to place proper foundations for the structure. No matter how amazing the building looks, if it’s built on a bad foundation, it’s not exactly structurally sound. This guide aims to educate readers on the importance of the proper excavation process that takes place before any construction work.
1. Site Clearing
The very first step involves clearing the site of any unwanted debris like trees, plants, boulders, and junk. Even any leftover tree trunks and vegetation will have to be removed entirely to make way for the excavation.
2. Home Site Staking
Once the site has been cleared, a home site can now be staked to indicate just where the foundation will be laid, and the home will be built. In a way, this serves as a guide for the contractors. The process involves placing four markers in the four corners where the supposed building will be erected. After that, a diagonal measurement will be taken, and the length and width will be verified.
3. Layout Design
Now’s the time to design a proper layout for the entire home, which includes any external fixtures like patios, walkways, steps, and landscaping options. It basically shows where every part of the house is and where it will be ideally placed.
4. Building Preparations
After the general layout of the property is completed, it’s time to start the excavation. This includes digging out the areas staked out to ensure vegetation is removed and proper drainage is added. Footers may also be placed around the slab of the foundation, and other steps may be taken, such as digging a trench below the frost line.
5. Slab Support Material and Drainage
The next step involves laying the proper gravel down, which is a crucial step and will make a huge difference in the process. This is also the part of the process where the drainage pipes are placed. Contractors will have to remember to make sure that the site is level before laying down the foundation.
6. Digging Sewer Drainage Trenches
Sewer drainage pipes aren’t just laid down on the property. Trenches will have to be dug first before laying the drainage pipes down. This is another important part of the excavation process, as the drainage will then be connected to the house once the actual building process starts.
7. Excavating the Driveway
Of course, the driveway is also part of the property and will also need to be excavated. It needs to be cleared as well of trees, boulders, and debris. After that’s done, gravel will be then used to reach the desired height of the driveway, and it will then be levelled. Same with the house, the drainage system will also need to be considered for this.
Conclusion
Before any construction starts in a house, the excavation process needs to be executed perfectly. This process requires a couple of things like marking and laying down the foundation, setting up the drainage system, and laying sewer pipes. The procedure itself takes quite some time to complete, but it’s a crucial step that every builder should follow to ensure that the house is built correctly.
DL Nagel Excavating Ltd. is dedicated to providing full excavating services to all our clients. With more than 30 years of combined experience, our company is more than capable of providing quality services every time. We offer excavating, hydrovac, skid steer, demolitions, snow removal, demolition services, and more. Whenever you need excavating services in Southeast Alberta, feel free to reach out to us. Contact us today to request a service!