If you are building a brand-new house or property, you should know that excavation is an integral part of the entire construction process, as it involves removing rock and soil from a specific location, with the goal of establishing a solid foundation for new construction. Often, excavation is mandatory for leveling the ground, which is then used as the foundation of the new structure. Essentially, excavation prepares the ground for a specific construction project, which can not only be a house but also a commercial building or even a bridge.
Read on to learn more about the potential signs that indicate the need for excavation.
You Detect Signs of Instability
Now, you might need to opt for excavation if you detect signs on the ground of a specific location that indicate instability, such as cracked soil, changes in the type of soil, or even material starting to fall from the excavation walls. These signs indicate that there are issues with your existing excavation site, which is why you need to readdress the excavation needs for establishing a solid ground for the construction. Similarly, if you have construction going on, and you detect potential signs of the collapse of the excavation wall, you should see it as an instant danger that indicates the current excavation is affecting structures and nearby buildings.
Presence of Standing Water
Usually, standing water indicates poor drainage, which causes water to collect in one place instead of draining or evaporating. Nonetheless, on an ongoing construction site, especially an excavation site, if you detect standing water, it indicates poor drainage or other issues with water drainage. You should know that standing water at an excavation site can cause serious issues, including soil destabilization, safety hazards for construction workers, and collapse. In the case of standing water, it is in your best interest to instantly start dewatering efforts for establishing site stabilization and ensuring the safety of all construction workers.
Sewer Line Issues on Existing Property
As a property owner, you should also be aware of all the signs that indicate a dire need for excavation, such as sewer line issues, that can manifest themselves in the form of bubbling sounds, sewage backups, and gurgling sounds getting emitted from drains or toilets. If you detect sewer line issues like these, you should know that you need instant excavation. Similarly, watch out for drainage issues on your property, as these can indicate that you need extensive excavation.
Other Environmental Signs
Apart from poor drainage and issues with sewer lines, you must watch out for potential environmental and safety signs, such as extreme weather conditions in the form of heavy rain or overnight freezing, which can lead to unstable soil conditions. These conditions can subsequently create a serious situation for your existing and potentially planned excavations.
Watch out for excavations that might be in process near gas lines, electrical installations, or other sensitive areas, as these are always at a significant risk of damage, especially in the absence of careful management. Unless the soil is a sturdy rock, trenches that are at least five feet deep also require a protective system.
