Proper planning for excavation is crucial when planning to build a residential structure. In general, your excavation efforts will determine the stability, durability and quality of the house foundation. Therefore, if your digging is poorly executed, the base of the building will be unreliable. This could lead to foundational problems such as cracking, movement and fast settling in the future. In addition, poor planning for the work could result in decreased personal safety. Here are some basic planning tips for excavation to promote long-term and short-term success.

Conduct Land Assessment

It is essential to understand the properties of your site before excavating the land for construction. Assessment will help you determine the ideal approach during the digging process. Moreover, you will be able to identify potential problems for your building and manage them. Ideally, you should begin your investigation by testing the properties of the soil. You must ensure that the ground can support the type of structure you intend to build.

You should note that some pieces of land can contain harmful soils or minerals. For instance, clay soils will swell and sink, depending on moisture content, and sandy soil does not provide enough support. If your site has unfavourable characteristics, you should discuss remediation. It is also important to conduct an underground assessment and mark out the position of pipes, conduits and sewer lines. Additionally, mark out the excavation plans.

Manage the Groundwater

Groundwater can be a problem during excavation. In simple terms, if your lot is located in an area where the water table is high, you might experience some limitations during the construction process due to site flooding. Therefore, you should establish a management plan. The height of the water table can be determined by investigations during the preliminary assessment of the site. However, you can also consult your contractor on the local groundwater conditions. If this could be an issue, consider planning for the installation of a temporary pump and a line to evacuate the water while building the foundation.

Plan for Site Safety

You should ensure that your construction site is as safe as possible for your contractors and workers. Promoting safety should begin with acquiring appropriate excavators and employing trained operators to handle the heavy equipment. It is also crucial to provide safety gear and establish rules on movement around the excavation area. Additionally, you should have a plan for managing emergency situations such as cave-ins, falls and equipment malfunction.

Finally, when preparing for residential excavation, choose licenced, insured and experienced contractors for your project. For more information, contact a local excavation service.

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