The Difference Between Digging A Hole And Excavation
Posted on: 24 August 2023
Many people look at excavation work and figure it can't be that hard to dig a hole. Excavation services involve a lot more than removing soil. If you're preparing for an excavation project, you should understand the difference and why professional help is essential.
Scale
The line between digging a hole and excavating a location occurs at the scale where the job is impossible without at least one piece of heavy equipment. Even if you have a backhoe and are comfortable running it, dealing with work at this scale isn't simple.
Suppose you're excavating enough ground to build a home's foundation. You have to deal with the size hole. However, you also have to deal with a pile of removed dirt. If there are civil engineering needs on the property, you may even need to calculate how much soil needs to stay to fill other areas. Even if you don't need the dirt, someone has to find it a home.
The Water Table
One of the most significant excavation challenges in some locations is hitting the water table. Typically, an excavation company can create temporary trenches to drain the space. Ideally, you can install your moisture barrier and then pour concrete to control the site.
On some sites, though, drainage may be more complex. In those cases, your excavation contractor might have to work with a drainage installer to provide a long-term solution to keep the site dry. This could include building a pond to contain the water and allow it to evaporate. You may also need to excavate so you can connect drainage lines to city systems.
Stabilization
When people see excavation as digging a hole, they ignore the fact that not all soil behaves the same. Excavating a deep hole is one thing. Stabilizing it is another. Excavation companies know how to keep sites stable. They can assess the soil and hydrology to determine the best way to dig and how to keep the walls from collapsing. In some cases, you may need to work with a civil engineer to devise a solution for stabilizing the site.
Regulations
Excavation is a potentially dangerous activity. Not only are there regulations to protect people, but there are rules to prevent damage to utility systems and neighboring properties. Working with a licensed excavation professional ensures that the work will comply with all regulations. The company will make every effort to locate and avoid damaging lines in the ground. Likewise, they will strive to prevent damage to nearby properties.
To learn more information, reach out to excavation services near you.
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