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Slope in Land Grading; What You Need to Know

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By:Wes

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. 

Kissimmee & Orlando Site Clearing & Excavation

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By:Wes

2022 is going to be a big year for construction in Central Florida. But most properties are filled with trees, uneven surfaces, slopes, and who knows what else? Then you need to have the property cleared by a professional excavating service. 

Preparing the Land 

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. 

Deadlines

Missing deadlines can have significant consequences and costs. While issues may arise, a company with good business practices is one with a reputation for delivering projects on the scheduled deadline and well within budget.

Safety

Safety should always be the highest priority. The last thing you want is a company who cuts corners, they tend to end up with problems down the road. Instead, tasks should be completed with efficiency and the highest safety standards. 

Licensing and Insurance 

Doing a little bit of research before hiring an excavation or earthwork service can save a lot of headaches down the road. Ensure the contractor you choose has the appropriate insurance and licensing. 

Equipment 

Moving large trees, plants, massive amounts of soil, grading, paving, drainage excavation, storm water and utility system installation, all require specific  heavy duty equipment if you want it done right. 

Communication 

Good communication is a must! The Project Manager is the pivotal point on a project and all crews take the initial direction from him. He ensures that the project is built to the client’s specifications and acts as the interface between the Owner, the office and the field.

There are many aspects that go into excavation and site development. Swell Construction Group is a trusted site development group in Central Florida.

Kissimmee/Clermont Excavation; Aspects of Site Development

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By:Wes

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.

Clermont Excavation & Site Clearing

Posted on
By:Wes

Land clearing, excavation, removal of trees, vegetation and debris to prepare for construction or some type of development is an important step in the process. 

Some basic terms you may need to know when it comes to clearing the land 

Clearing  

The cutting down of trees, brush, and removing all unwanted vegetation and debris. 

Grubbing 

The clearing of roots and stumps by grinding or digging. This typically requires heavy machinery such as dump trucks, bulldozer, scrapers, and compactors.   

Excavating 

Removing any surplus soil. This could mean taking down a hill and anything left emerged after the land has been cleared. This is also the time holes are dug for things like a septic system. 

Leveling 

Construction leveling devices are used to ensure the soil is in the proper place according to the plans. Graded slopes are created to make sure water flows away from future structures. The dirt is carefully smoothed out, so that slopes are not too shallow or too steep. 

Stabilizing 

Equipment is used to stabilize the soil, eliminating any holes or air pockets that may be under the top layer of earth. 

Backfilling

The process of returning dirt to an area that has been excavated and the related work has been completed. Backfill is very important, it takes experience, a good understanding of specifications, heavy equipment, soil conditions and contract requirements. It also takes special precaution must also be taken around utility lines and ditches.

Dentist Test

A density test will determine how much stone, soil, or blacktop has been compacted. The process of backfilling can be tedious, it is done layer by layer, each needs to be compacted properly.

Top Soil

The top soil is an important component to the finished project. It is applied where pathways, lawns, and patios will exist. This will enable strong plants and grass development.

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.

Affordable Orlando & Lake Nona Land & Site Clearing

Posted on
By:Wes

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.

Swell Construction Group Inc.

1726 West Broadway Street

Oviedo, FL. 32765