When building a new home, several factors are taken into account, beginning with the most obvious task of first finding the location in which to build. Once the location has been set, and plans drawn up, the next step is site preparation. Site preparation is a fairly extensive process, with each step building off of the previous to set up a successful home build. When done correctly, a proper site preparation ensures a smoother construction process with no surprises, while also preventing many future issues down the road. Here is a simple breakdown of each step to help you better understand the process:
Rough Staking
Rough staking involves setting up a perimeter at your site to determine what all of the exact boundaries are for the foundation and structures. If you are wanting to save money on your project, you can attempt to do it yourself by measuring out the dimensions from the building plan and blueprints. This also helps you to save money with hired construction by knowing what you’ll need in advance.
If your site is going to require any kind of dirt grading and site work or excavation, rough staking allows for you to get a better visual of the project, while also helping to decide on the trees that need to be removed. You’ll be able to see the exact boundaries of the structure, allowing you to see what areas need to be dealt with surrounding area and inside of it.
If you begin to rough stake and encounter some trees or other parts of the area that you would like to keep in place, you then have the option of changing the building plans to avoid them.
Clearing
Once your property has been rough staked, it’s time to address any objects and natural features that are in the way. This can include trees, their roots, and any sort of vegetation that could be a hindrance. Generally, large machines are used to clear out these objects. The next issue after they are cleared is what to do with the debris that is left. Depending on what you’ve cleared, you may have several options.
If most of the debris was trees, you can elect to have them cut into firewood to keep for later. You may also burn the debris with a properly controlled burn. Burying the debris is an option as well, but there is a risk of the ground collapsing or settling once the debris has decayed. There’s also the option of simply having someone come haul the debris away as well.
Excavation
If your home is going to have a basement, there will need to be an excavation into the ground to accommodate it. This is done with a dozer, and almost always involves creating a ramp that goes into the basement site to give the dozer access until the excavation is completed. For more information on excavation, please visit our blog on Site Excavation.
Rough Grading
Grading refers to the sloping around your home, and the leveling of the ground as well. While grading is an accurate and detailed process, rough grading is essentially the rough draft of the final grading that will be done later.
Grading helps to set up a natural drainage system for your home that keeps water at bay. If grading is neglected during site preparation and your home lacks adequate sloping away from the structure, you will begin to have issues in your home and foundation that stem from water collecting and seeping in over time.
With well-planned and executed grading, you can build with full confidence that your structure will be able to withstand the effects of rainfall over time, while avoiding any catastrophic damages that threaten your investment down the road.
Runoff Control
Site preparation creates a good amount of mud. When preparing your construction site, it’s important to make sure that you prevent mud runoff to surrounding properties, streets, and sidewalks. This can be accomplished by setting up tarp barriers around the area, using filter screens, or even bales of hay to block large runoffs.
Contacting Dirt Connections Today to Learn More!
Professional dirt grading assistance is the best way to provide your construction area with an adequately-sloped worksite that will allow your home to be protected from water damage. Grading often requires a quality level of fill dirt for creating the right sloping that prevents this water damage. If you need reliable, free dirt delivery, professional residential dirt grading assistance, and site work, get in contact with Dirt Connections today by giving us a call or sending us a message online. We have extensive knowledge and experience with site preparation, and can always be counted on to provide the assistance you need for a successful build. For additional information on how Dirt Connections can help with your projects, please visit our page on Residential Services.
