What Is Excavating?

Excavation is involved with almost every construction project. Excavating involves strategically moving dirt and rock to pave the way for construction. It also involves grading, digging holes and leveling land, among a range of other tasks.

Since excavation is a rather broad term that refers to a range of possible tasks, it is helpful to understand the different types of excavation. Every construction crew, contractor or DIY homeowner should determine their excavation needs or directly consult with an excavation contractor before they begin building.

If you have construction plans and are in need of site preparation, you will likely need excavating at your site. The following is a range of ways in which excavating may help during the construction process.

Preparing Construction Sites

Excavation contractors work closely with surveying crews, engineers and others involved in the preparation stages for the construction site. Excavation occurs after the surveying crew determines the leveling and depth requirements for the construction. Excavators can then complete the necessary requirements and conduct their own assessments.

They can also provide soil testing and look for any potential concerns that may come up during construction. One common task of excavators in preparing construction sites is leveling the ground and providing the proper slope. This can be achieved by moving around dirt, rock and other materials as needed. After construction, the excavator will likely need to come for a backfill.

By preparing the site through excavation, construction crews can operate with confidence, knowing that there will not be any red flags that show up related to the leveling and grading of the construction site.

Digging and Removing Dirt

Excavators are perhaps most well-known for digging and removing dirt. This is one of the most popular services of excavating contractors, as it is required on most construction projects. There are many reasons why digging and removing dirt is necessary. Several of the more common projects that require digging and removing dirt include:

• Property foundations
• Sewer lines
• Pool installation
• Concrete driveways
• Drainage systems

Of course, there are many more construction projects in which digging is necessary. Excavators use heavy machinery to ensure the job is done effectively and in an efficient manner. Digging and removing dirt often is necessary while preparing the construction site to meet all of the necessary grading and leveling requirements.

All too many of those with smaller construction projects make the mistake of thinking that they can do the excavation themselves, only to find out that the project is much harder and takes far longer than they anticipated as they simply do not have the proper equipment. For example, a DIY homeowner who wants to build their own concrete driveway may try and dig by hand. However, this project, which may seem simple, often requires heavier machinery and professional assistance.

Hauling Dirt Offsite

Too much dirt at a construction site can be a real concern. When dirt needs to be removed for construction purposes, an excavating contractor receives a call. They can use their excavation machinery to pick up large amounts of dirt, sand, etc. and move it away from the construction site.

This may be necessary if the dirt in an area will cause elevation concerns or will affect the foundation of the property. Excavators may also need to remove dirt for larger landscaping projects as well.

In addition to removing excess dirt, excavators can also deliver quality dirt, soil and other materials to the construction site when needed. This may be necessary when replacing soil that is not stable. Many excavators can deliver high-quality soil to meet project needs. These types of materials that excavating contractors often deliver include:

• Fill dirt
• Sand
• Gravel
• Clay
• Topsoil

Excavators also offer backfill during or after the construction process is finished. Backfill is most often required when digging is necessary. For example, digging to create sewer lines requires the need for backfill to complete the project and to cover and protect the sewer lines.

Operating Heavy Machinery

The reason there is a need for excavators at construction sites is that the services they offer are not easy to perform with routine equipment. Being an excavating contractor requires having access to expensive and high-quality machinery and knowing how to properly operate it. The types of heavy machinery that excavating contractors often use include:

• Bulldozers
• Dump trucks
• Front end loaders
• Compactors
• Backhoes
• Skid steers

The heavy machinery allows excavating contractors to operate effectively and efficiently so that the other steps in the construction process can begin sooner. The excavation contractor may either operate the heavy machinery themselves or hire and train operators to do it. Either way, operating the machinery requires skill and experience as they are not easy to handle.

Grading and Leveling Land

Grading and leveling land are common for most landscaping and construction projects as well. For construction projects, proper grading and leveling ensure water runs off the way it should, rather than accumulating in one area. Creating the perfect drainage through grading and leveling is important. Of course, it is also important to ensure homes are built on a level foundation. Excavating professionals can also assist with this.

Excavators also help with landscaping projects. The grade of land for landscaping is important for ensuring reliable results and controlling water amounts. Excavators can do the grading and leveling for the property as well as the surrounding area at the same time. For example, they can help ensure a home’s foundation is level while also ensuring the surrounding land is ideal for landscaping.

Reach Out to Dirt Connections

Dirt Connections offers a range of services, including excavating. If you have a construction project that requires excavating, or if you are not sure what your needs are exactly, then reach out to our team today.

We can help you determine what preparations are in order for your construction project so that you can determine if you can benefit from excavating at your construction site. Feel free to give us a call today. We respond promptly to all who have questions about or are interested in our services.