Residential Excavation

Excavation Projects: Why You Might Need To Hire An Excavation Company

What Does an Excavation Company Do?

Typically, when people think of excavation companies, they think of bulldozers and backhoes digging holes in the ground. Excavation is the process of moving earth – soil, dirt, or stone – from one location to another. There are many kinds of excavation projects. However, excavation companies are far more versatile than you may believe. Below are other kinds of services that excavation companies provide.

Permit Navigation and Project Management

Many bloggers talk about the simplicity of do-it-yourself home improvement projects; however, most residential and commercial construction efforts require the use of proper permits. Permits are a confirmation that you plan to move forward with a project on your property. A permit will outline the local and state rules and regulations that you must follow throughout a project’s lifespan. The guidelines for a permit change depending on the type of property and the project itself. Typically, common rules outlined in a permit include hours of project operation, noise regulations, and procedures for material delivery or removal.

While doing a project on your home by yourself may seem appealing, it can quickly become hard to keep track of your projects’ permits and deadlines. A licensed excavation company can not only help you manage your property’s required permits, but also they can develop a project timeline for you. Having a professional navigate your project’s management will ensure that you stay ahead of schedule and within your budget.

Demolition and Removal Services

Residential Home and Garage Demolition

Excavation companies can do more than merely excavate a property. Excavation projects often use machinery that is also used in demolition and removal services. This is why excavation companies are versatile in their services – their equipment is multifaceted. Some projects will be similar in scope, regardless of whether the property is residential or commercial. However, residential demolition and commercial demolition are very different services. Many excavation companies specialize in at least one of these demolition services.

Residential home demolition and garage demolition both require concise preparation. An excavation company can walk you through the process of demolition. Your home will require inspection before you move forward with demolition, which is a service that some excavation companies offer. The home’s structural integrity needs to be examined. Risks or hazards must also be noted, such as the presence of wood rot, mold, or hazardous materials. Knowing where these weaknesses lie will help the company engineer a safe demolition.

An excavation company can also assist you with disconnecting services and utilities before moving forward with demolition. These services can include disconnecting gas lines, sewage connections, water lines, and electric lines. It is imperative that the gas and electricity lines are disconnected. If they are active during a demolition, then you pose a serious health risk both to your property and to your neighbors.

Your garage may have a large amount of piping underneath it, then this may require removal by hand. If you are planning to build a new home on the land where the demolished home sat, an excavation company can assist with the first steps of building the new home as well. Rather than having to work with different project managers on a demolition and an excavation, working with a licensed excavation contractor can save you time and money since they can provide both services.

Drainage Services

Residential Vs. Commercial Drainage

The solutions to drainage problems on residential and commercial properties will vary depending on the property’s issues. Problems leading to improper drainage include the slope of the property, the quality of the soil, and the property’s existing drainage system. Remember that you typically need permits in drainage construction projects, and the permit’s requirements will change depending on the property’s type and location. A contractor can help you navigate the nuances between these property types.

The Risks of Rainwater

Excavation companies can help navigate the drainage needs of both commercial and residential properties. Rainwater is a common cause of damage on properties that lack proper drainage. Rainwater follows the flow of gravity, so oftentimes rainwater will accumulate in the areas of your property that are the deepest. Improper rainwater drainage can lead to soil erosion, which in turn will slowly destroy grass and plants. Sometimes a solution to rainwater damage is to introduce plants that help facilitate the absorption of water in soil. However, when rainwater leads to more complex damages, there are other drainage solutions for you to choose from. Excavation companies can work with you to decide the best drainage solution for your property.

In Ground Drainage, Lawn, and Backyard Drainage Solutions

Some drainage systems are located in the ground. These pipe or trench systems can carry water from your property to proper water reclamation sites. If your lawn or backyard is facing soil erosion problems or drainage problems, then resolving this problem is imperative. If water pools around your property as opposed to properly draining outside of it, then you risk damaging your home’s foundation. In ground drainage systems can resolve many of these risks, and excavation companies can install them for you.

Driveway Drainage Solutions

People typically overlook driveways as a cause of water drainage problems. Most driveway pavements consist of nonporous materials, meaning that water cannot slip through the pavement. This can cause water to pool on your driveway. Driveway drainage problems are often caused by a driveway being flat. By installing a sloped driveway, water can simply run down your property and into street-side storm drains. If your property is not sloped, then installing trenches on the sides of your driveway will help improve the drainage. Driveway drains are installed with a metal grate on top of them, which makes them easy to clean and safe to walk over. Excavation companies can assist with both re-sloping your driveway and installing trenching around it.

Seepage Pit Installation

Seepage pits are one way to collect the black and gray water that develops in a septic tank. They are dug very deep into the ground and they are installed vertically. By installing a seepage pit deep in the ground, anaerobic bacteria can process most of the waste water. Anaerobic bacteria are an organism that does not require oxygen to grow or survive. Seepage pits commonly use anaerobic bacteria to treat waste water, so understand that not all bacteria are necessarily bad.  Seepage pits treat water inside a tank before returning clean water to the local water table. If your seepage pit is not designed to drain properly, then you risk flooding your yard with waste water. Seepage pits can be a great option for homeowners who need to treat their wastewater. An excavation company can ensure the proper installation of the seepage pit.

Delivery and Removal Services

Trucking and Material Delivery

Excavation companies own a large fleet of trucks that are capable of delivery materials. Even if you are working on a project that does not require excavation, an excavation company can still assist you in the delivery of materials. The most common materials include sand, stone, or filler materials such as soil. If you are working on an excavation project, then working with an excavation company that offers material delivery services will save you time and money.

Underground Oil Tank Scan and Removal

Years ago, when heating homes, they relied on petroleum products stored in underground tanks made of steel. However, the problem with using a tank made of steel is that steel rusts over time. When the rust corrodes a hole in the tank, all of the tanks’ contents spill into the environment. They no longer make modern oil tanks out of steel, due to the environmental hazard that they pose.

The old-fashioned steel tanks were widely used in New Jersey for many years, so scanning your property for an old oil tank is necessary for both the health of your property and for the health of your family. Licensed excavation companies can help scan your property for these old tanks. This is particularly important if you are looking to buy or sell a residential property. Because the tank has dangerous contents, carefully and safely removing it from the ground is a specialized task. An excavation company can remove it for you without causing harm to your home or property.

Snow Removal

For commercial properties, excavation companies can offer snow removal services. Since excavation companies own a large fleet of trucks, it is easy for them to attach plows for inclement weather conditions. By contracting out an excavation company to remove your property’s snow, you can ensure that customers and employees can safely visit your property during the winter. In the event of unexpected heavy snowfall, excavation companies can offer emergency snow removal services as well.

Excavation companies are capable of more than moving dirt around. They can manage your project and help you receive proper permits. Excavation companies can work with both residential and commercial property owners to demolish an old structure, improve a drainage system, or deliver and remove materials. Do not attempt to do major projects by yourself: if you install something incorrectly or if you miss a crucial construction step, then you will only have to pay more money to fix your mistake. Work with an excavation company to see that your project is safe and well managed.

by djm

Excavation Equipment: Why It’s Important To Have The Right Tools

At their core, excavation projects come down to a company, its personnel, professionalism, and the excavation equipment. That’s why it’s so vital to have the right tools.  In any kind of job or project, having the right tools is essential for success. When it comes to excavation equipment, there is so much at stake for your residential or commercial property that, it could be said, it’s not only the most important thing, it’s the only thing that matters.

Different Types of Excavation Projects

• Lifting and moving – sometimes, you may need to remove trees, debris, and structures from an area. This also requires disposing of these materials or moving them to another location.

What excavation equipment might be necessary for your project?

Backhoe loader

These have an adjustable shovel in the front and a bucket in the back. It is usually used for medium-sized or smaller jobs. You may typically see this machine moving dirt, placing pipes and performing backfill duties. Its greatest advantage is that it moves on tires, so it can be used in urban areas and for trenches of various widths.

Bulldozer

You can think of this piece of machinery as the monster of the excavation industry. It is one of the strongest and most reliable tools in construction. Powerful and extremely heavy, it runs on treads and has a wide, flat blade in the front. It normally used pushes large piles of dirt or breaks up huge boulders among other duties.

Crawler loader

Combining the track mounted power of an excavator with the bucket capability of a backhoe; this machine is most helpful for moving materials off-site. You may often see them loading material into a truck or taking soil to a different location.

Excavator

This is the machine most often associated with excavation projects. It has a long bucket arm attached to a cab where the operator sits and can rotate 360 degrees. Running on tracks, this is a large piece of equipment used for big jobs. It is typically used to dig trenches, demolition, snow and forestry removal, lift pipes and heavy objects, and grade the ground. You can also use different attachments for them, such as a clamshell attachment to pick up dirt and debris. There are several types of excavators, including:

• Spider excavator – designed to work on all types of terrain, such as steep inclines and narrow ditches, it moves on “legs” instead of tracks.
• Swamp excavator – specially made for jobs near water, it has a special kind of track that makes it perfect for dredging projects.
• Zero swing excavators – this machine has an arm that can only swing within its own width, making it the perfect piece of excavation equipment for confined spaces.

Skid-steer loader

Simple to operate, these machines are quite flexible with a tight turning radius like a military tank. This makes it ideal for small spaces and in areas with numerous structures around or other completed excavation projects. It has wheels for better traction in mud and snow and reduced soil compaction.

Trencher

You will find trenchers of many sizes and capabilities, such as walk-behind models and heavy trenching varieties. It operates with a conveyor system that takes the excavated material and moves it to an area next to the trench. There are different digging tools, depending on the type of excavation required and how hard the excavated material will be. You can find both wheeled and chain trenchers. For example, a professional might use it to dig up pavement or asphalt. They are most often used for drainage purposes, or laying pipes and cables. The right excavation equipment can prevent dangers like cave-ins.

No matter what type of excavation equipment you have, you will need professionals who possess the skill and experience to use them correctly. It also must have the features and attachments you need to get the job done. In addition, it’s vital that your equipment be in excellent working condition with no leaks or excessive smoke. Make sure that all equipment receives regular testing to avoid accidents, delays, and costly repairs.

Not having the right excavation equipment can impede the progress of your project. Over time, if you can’t complete jobs in a timely fashion, you will lose customers and maybe even your business. There is constant pressure to decrease costs and increase productivity. By reducing small equipment and project deficiencies, you can achieve big results.

What you need to consider when deciding on the right excavation equipment

1. Your site

Large areas require the most powerful excavation equipment. Also, flat landscapes have different needs than uneven urban areas.

2. Your job

Is this just a quick operation or will you need to prepare for the long haul? Are there lots of hazards and different phases for your project? What you need for digging, lifting, and carrying may be dissimilar from the tools needed to dredge or avoid nearby obstacles.

3. The comfort and skill of the operator

Never forget the person actually operating the excavation equipment. If this person seems uncomfortable or does not have the tools he needs, the job goes undone. Make sure that the seats provide flexibility, the temperature of the cab is adjustable and the controls are easy and sensible. You will get better performance and results when these aspects are in place.

Excavation projects take experience and training. Mikula Contracting handles foundation and construction excavation as well as rock removal and trench excavation. You can trust us for all your excavation needs. We service Essex, Passaic, Hudson, Bergen, Union, and Morris counties. Call today for a fast quote!

by djm

Why You Need to Hire a Professional Excavation Company, Not Just Any Contractor

When it comes to contractors, you can either hire a professional or someone inept and unskilled. Choose wisely. This is especially true when you need a professional excavation company.

Hiring an excavation company is not a decision you make lightly. There is a lot at stake. Your property, your finances and your safety could all be affected if you select the wrong company for the job. Learn why it’s vital to choose a professional and how to find the company that is right for your home or commercial business.

Reasons why you need a professional excavation company

1. Too many things can go wrong.

Things like trench collapses, not properly assessing risks and equipment dangers are just a few of the perils of excavation work. For example, there may be tight or limited space to work with so you must obtain a detailed plan to compensate for these cases to make sure that the job can be done safely. You also need to know the best kind of machinery for each specific project. What is required to remove large boulders or trees is a lot different than what’s needed for removing a swimming pool. Using the wrong or inadequate equipment combined with inexperienced operators is a recipe for disaster. A professional excavation company must evaluate the ground condition, how surrounding structures will be affected and how site cleanup will be handled. If everything is not managed correctly, your job will quickly turn into a mess.

2. Professionalism is important.

The word professional conveys a level of quality, training and experience and these are the traits you should expect from an excavation company. Look for a company that has been in business for many years. This is a good indicator for whether a business is worth your time. The inferior, unprofessional ones don’t last very long. A professional will have a culture of safety and a strong work ethic you can count on to get the job done.

3. The unexpected may occur.

While many excavation jobs go off without a hitch, there is always the possibility for unforeseen problems. For instance, you may be confronted with hazardous materials underground after the job has begun. Animals or wildlife may also be a factor. Uncharted pipes or cables or tree roots can damage equipment. Project specifications might need to be changed. In addition, in some areas, the weather can change suddenly and drastically, making it necessary to adjust quickly. Inexperienced amateurs will not know how to handle or work around these situations. A professional excavation company will know the proper paperwork and forms you need to file. They will also have the correct safety procedures and insurance to ensure a secure work site and protection for your company.

4. Cleanup is sometimes just as important as the excavation.

In any excavation project, lots of dirt and underground junk is often dug up. This could include slabs of concrete, non-recyclable plastics and large tree stumps. What do you do with all this? It can’t stay on your property. You may also have to manage waste during the project to make sure your neighbors and surrounding businesses are not blocked or affected by your project. Typically, there are rules and regulations regarding proper handling of these materials and what you legally can and cannot do with them. Nonprofessionals may not be aware of these guidelines and procedures.

5. There is a lot more involved than just digging.

Factors such as erosion and sedimentation control are big concerns on any construction or excavation project. If not handled correctly, these issues can damage your property and affect water quality for you and those nearby. Limiting the areas of exposed soil, diverting water with trench drains and vegetative measures are just a few of the ways to manage erosion. This is not only done for practical reasons. In some states, laws exist that govern erosion control and inspectors have the authority to shut down a project if you do not take proper care  to reduce erosion and siltation.

6. You have to consider the surrounding structures and area.

In addition to the building and project you are working on, what surrounds your work is also a factor. Neighboring property and other environmental features might be damaged by excavation and demolition work. The wrong equipment, like using a jackhammer instead of a core drill, can also create problems. A professional excavation company will know how to minimize these risks. If you use amateurs, the most they will be able to do is guess, which could lead to significant damage to your structures or property.

7. All soil is not equal.

Just looking at the topsoil does not accurately tell you what’s underneath. As a result, you could be in for a big surprise after you’ve dug several feet down. Also, different kinds of soil will react differently to various excavation procedures. You will also need to know where the softer ground sits and potential dangers to look out for. Professional testing methods are required to ensure safety and prevent soil failure.

8 . Time is of the essence.

No one wants to deal with an excavation job that takes forever. You want it done right but you also want it done in a timely fashion. When hit with a problem you cannot immediately resolve or realize you don’t have the necessary tools to handle something unexpected, this can delay your project indefinitely. You can trust a professional excavation company to handle any issue and ensure that the project is done on time and successfully.

9. It’s more expensive to hire an amateur.

Many people believe they cannot afford a professional excavation company. Therefore, they cut corners with the rationale that, even if the job is not perfect, at least it’s cheaper. You may think you can do it yourself or know an experienced do-it-yourselfer and tell yourself you are saving money. Some may decide to hire a company that is a professional in a field other than excavation. In reality, you will actually end up paying more by hiring an amateur. This is mainly due to the fact that, when a project is done wrong, you will have to pay someone else to fix it. As a result, you will be paying for the same job twice.

by djm