Whether you need a concrete slab for a home, driveway, patio, or foundation for a building, the ground must be properly prepared before the concrete is poured to avoid problems down the road. 

Since concrete is porous, water runoff can be a big problem. Proper drainage requires excavation to ensure water doesn’t infiltrate to the concrete. This could lead to cracks in the slab, but with proper preparation, the concrete slab can hold the weight of a building and holds up for a lifetime. 

All debris needs to be cleared

This may be easy enough if it is a small piece of land without any trees or debris. But it can be more complicated and take heavy equipment if there are trees, roots, and stumps that need to be removed. As well, as underbrush, rocks, plant materials, toxic materials, and debris. If not removed properly, it can cause the slab to crack and heave. 

Remove the topsoil layer 

The topsoil layer is typically soft and not sturdy enough to hold the weight of the slab or building. This usually requires a professional to dig down to the right depth, ensure the soil is hard and compact. Dirt may need to be brought out and necessary soil brought in. A soil analysis may need to be done to ensure it will hold up over time.  

A concrete slab needs a compact and strong base. Sand or gravel may need to be brought to the site to ensure proper drainage. 

Compact the base 

Each layer of the base needs to be properly compacted with special machinery. This will ensure that each base fits together tightly for a solid base before the concrete slab is poured. The base cannot be too dry, it won’t compact properly, so each layer may need to be sprayed with water. 

There is a lot that goes into the ground before a concrete slab can be poured. Proper ground preparation and clearing should be done by a professional contractor such as Swell Construction. 

It is our responsibility to provide our customers with a quality-finished project. This is achieved by having highly skilled personnel in all positions within our company. We provide accurate estimates and perform our scope of work in an efficient, timely, and a cost effective manner.

There are a number of unexpected hurdles that can arise during excavation or land clearing process here in Central Florida. It is definitely frustrating when your new project is ready to break ground, only to find it is being pushed because of a developmental hurdle. 

There are a few things you can do to make sure things go off without a hitch. 

Have a clear plan 

Get your project off on the right foot by having a clear plan of what you want done before the land development starts. 

No matter what type of project you have in the works, a new business, housing community, parking lot, or a residential home, the land will need to be cleared and prepared before construction starts. 

Typically land clearing is when trees, brush, debris, and topsoil is removed before a project begins. But there is much more to the process. Which is why it’s important to have an experienced team with the proper equipment, and the highest quality of work. After all, you can’t build a great building on a weak foundation.

More and more builders, architects, and developers are retaining some of the trees for a natural green space. They add aesthetics and provide shade for walking paths, parks, and playgrounds. Protecting a variety of trees and giving them a spacious berth.

Working with an experience team

The excavation/site clearing team you choose makes a huge difference. They should have extensive knowledge of the local terrain. 

Take a look at prior projects the company has done in the area. It will give you some type of concept of how your project will go. 

When it comes to excavation and land clearing, consistency and quality are important keywords.

Our experienced team at Swell Construction knows what it takes to get the job done right. Including having over 130 pieces of heavy equipment, ensuring there is no job that is too big, from land clearing, excavation, dirt hauling, roads, utilities installation to surveying and much more.

We are proud to be Central Florida’s full service, licensed and Bonded Land development company specializing in residential, commercial and multi-family projects.