Excavating soil can be among the first steps that people will need to take before starting a construction or landscaping project. Despite the fact that this may be a basic step, individuals should avoid overlooking the preparation that excavation work will require on the part of the property owner.
Have Any Buried Utilities Marked
Many modern utilities will be buried beneath the soil. While this can help to protect them from being knocked out by strong storms or other events, it can put them at risk of being damaged when excavation work is being done. Individuals will often be under the impression that these utility lines will be buried extremely deep, but many may only be a few inches below the soil. Luckily, utility companies can mark where the lines are buried on your property so the excavation contractor can avoid them. In addition to being convenient, this is often required to avoid liabilities for damage that occurs to these lines.
Know Whether You Will Have Soil To Dispose Of After This Work
Often, excavation work will result in large amounts of soil that will need to be hauled away or otherwise managed. If you expect this to be the case with your excavation work, you will want to have a plan for what to do with this soil. For example, some individuals may be able to use this leftover soil for landscaping purposes. However, others may simply need to have it hauled away. By knowing whether you will be able to use this soil, you can determine whether you will need to pay extra fees to have this soil hauled away from the excavation site by the contractors.
Ensure The Weather Is Clear Before Starting The Excavation Work
It is always important to monitor the weather when you are having excavation work done. In addition to being able to prevent the digging from occurring, rain could also fill the area that had been excavated before you were done with your project. This could lead to you need to pump large amounts of standing water out of the hole, and this water could also weaken the sides of the hole so that a collapse will be more likely. If you suspect that it may rain before you are done with this work, you will want to have a tarp or cap system that can be used to protect the excavated area from getting wet.
To learn more, contact an excavation contractor.