Slope in Land Grading; What You Need to Know

Water runoff can easily compromise a home or business’s foundation here in Central Florida. Land grading is an important part of site clearing and earthworks. 

What is grading 

Site grading is the term engineers use for leveling the land to fulfill the specification of the project. The slope of the land is considered the “grade”.

The grading process takes place in the beginning stages of construction. Taking into account the soil composition, the water retention and soil density, grading takes experience and the right equipment.

What is slope for drainage?

Our intense thunderstorms and hurricanes, create a significant amount of water runoff. The laws of gravity dictate the runoff will flow downhill. 

If the land grading isn’t properly accomplished, all this water runoff can end up pooling around the foundation. Which can cause serious issues down the road. 

The best slope for proper drainage moves water from buildings and homes. Typically, a 5% slope or at least 6 inches higher than the first 10 feet from the foundation. 

Property grading 

Most properties need land modification, creating the proper slopes and angels for drainage. This entails carefully moving the soil around the property to sculpt the appropriate slope. 

Erosion 

Erosion and sediment can also cause damage to property, downstream channels, and to the local area water. If not planned correctly, it can cause flooding, fill, drainage ditches, storm drains, damages and lower water quality. 

Grading is responsible for creating a solid foundation. Building are very heavy and need to remain structurally sound for many years, a strong foundation is necessary for this to happen. 

Costly damages happen when water doesn’t drain properly. Cracks and structural impairments can result when the property isn’t properly graded. Water should never be allowed to pool around the foundation. Proper grading also discourages erosion of the land. 

When your grading is properly performed it addresses a ‘buffer zone’ of vegetation, current regulations, and backfill around the foundation.  If not, erosion, foundation and moisture issues, termites, and even legal problems can develop.

The success and overall integrity of your project depends on properly preparing the property for construction.  This phase is too important to leave to just any company, it takes experience, the right equipment, appropriate licensing and insurance. 

When you choose Swell Construction you can be sure to get the highest quality, professionalism, and great customer service. 

Orlando/Kissimmee/Clermont Excavation & Paving

Excavation, site clearing, and earthwork are very important then it comes to construction in Central Florida. But was is Earthworks? It deals with the removal of earth, such as soil, dirt, rocks, topsoil and large rock formations. It is a complex task, it can affect plantlike and wildlife, there is a change in vegetation, while maintaining an ecological balance.  

Roadways and Paving 

Whether it is the construction of a new roadway or demolition of an existing one, earthwork is involved. When it comes to new roadways, vegetation, trees, and hills need to be taken down and a path made for the new road. Taking up an existing road means bringing in soil, properly  leveling the soil, to make way for paving. The team at Swell Construction are experts at building roads here in Central Florida. The last thing you want is water pooling every time it storms or needing to make repairs in just a few short years. 

Buildings 

Land clearing is typically necessary for a new project. The ground conditions are not suitable to support a foundation and structure. New soil and dirt is brought to the property, grading and leveling is done to allow for a sturdy building. 

Total Teardown 

Earthwork is necessary when there are existing structures on the property. The buildings safely torn down, graded, land cleared and leveled with precision and complete expertise. 

If a site is not prepared properly before construction begins, the entire project can be compromised.

When it comes to excavation and land clearing, consistency and quality are keywords. Our experienced team at Swell Construction knows what it takes to get the job done right. Including 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.

Kissimmee/Clermont Excavation; Aspects of Site Development

Everyone wants their Central Florida Excavation/Construction project to go off without a hitch. No setbacks, few delays, just a smooth process. Site work is the backbone of every job, it can make or break the entire venture. 

As a leader in the industry, Swell Construction provides quality total site development. We provide services in land clearing, grading, earthwork, excavation, paving and storm water and utility systems installation. We have everything you need to get the job done right, on time and within budget. 

Aspect of Site Work 

Site work is responsible for laying a solid foundation before construction begins. If not done properly, it can lead to big problems down the road. At Swell Construction we have over 130 pieces of heavy equipment, ensuring that no project or task is beyond our limit. 

Clearing and Grubbing

This is typically the first step. It includes clearing out the vegetation and debris on the site. This step is responsible for clearing out the soils to furnish a stable foundation for future earthwork. This also ensures the site is safe and the access is easy. 

Subgrade Stabilization 

To ensure there won’t be any issues in the future, proper backfill techniques are essential. To prevent any foundation problems, such as, pumping, settling, and heaving, the soil needs to reach an optimal consistency by moisture conditioning and for optimal stability the earth needs to be compacted properly. 

When it comes to land clearing, grading, earthwork, excavation, paving and storm water and utility systems installation in Central Florida, Swell Construction is a premier service you can count on. 

Since 1989 we have been serving both commercial and individual job sites. Providing excavation a variety of excavation services to prepare your site for construction.  That includes general contractors and remodeling contractors, property managers and owners. 

Contact Swell Construction Group today and find out why we are the premier land clearing and excavation service in Central Florida.

Affordable Orlando & Lake Nona Land & Site Clearing

Many new construction projects here in Central Floria require some type of land preparation. Whether it is for a large development, housing subdivision, and smaller undertakings, such as a new swimming pool or parking lot. 

Either way, here are a few things you should know:
Professional Land Clearing

Land clearing seems simple enough, but what about removing large trees, their stumps and roots, getting rid of big rocks, bringing in the right soil, water run-off, and drainage. Most of the soil here in Central Florida has a lot of sand, not ideal for supporting a structure. Proper land clearing requires heavy equipment, a good understanding of the different types of soil, and the drainage process. 

For a successful project, water run off and drainage need to be properly addressed. It may seem pretty straightforward, but with Central Florida extreme afternoon thunderstorm, it is anything but. Proper drainage means all that water will have somewhere to go, instead of causing a flood inside a building or on the property. When you hear on the news the flooding problems in certain neighborhoods or parking lot, the problem can usually be linked back to the land clearing.

It is also important to hire an experienced land clearing service, this way they will be well versed in the different soil types in Florida. 

As a leading full service site development in Central Florida, Swell Construction Group,  we feel 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.

Check back with us next week for more important information you should know before clearing out and excavating a property.
Until then, contact Swell Construction Company for more information.

Affordable Site Clearing & Excavation In Kissimmee and Clermont

If your new Central Florida project has property that needs to be cleared or excavated, there is a lot to think about. Are there any local and state rules and regulations specific to our area that pertains to your land? What about storm water collection, water runoff, waterways, or certain trees that are protected? What type of equipment will the project require? Are there any underground utilities that exist? Where do you even start?

As a top excavation and site clearing service, Swell Construction Group can all these and any other questions you may have in advance. Most properties need to be cleared of trees, brush, rocks, hazards, and also what may lay beneath the ground. 

It is important to understand, site clearing is a complex task. It involves, knowing which permits are needed, heavy equipment, knowledge of laws, comprehensive surveying, experience with planning and any issues that arise. 

Excavation and land clearing have gone through tremendous changes in the last decade. Today’s methods have become more environmentally friendly. 

Bulldozing 

The most cost effective way to prepare a larger site for construction is the bulldozer method. For smaller properties or areas that need protecting, a BobCat (skidsteer tractors with hydraulic shears. 

Earth Grading 

Bulldozing tends to leave holes, indentations, and rocks, grading corrects all this and makes way for storm drains, parking lots, driveways, lawns and buildings. 

Silt Fencing 

To prevent erosion during the construction process, a temporary barrier of geotextile fabric is placed around the project. It also prevents any construction waste from entering ground water and lakes. 

Our experienced team at Swell Construction knows what it takes to get the job done right. Including 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.