Estes Excavation
Excavation in definition is simple: the act or process of digging. However, the challenge is not the definition – rather what lies below the surface of the Earth that was cannot see.
When Estes & Sons begins a job, the first phase is normally clearing and grubbing, sometimes alongside demolition. Clearing involves removal of any trees, shrubbery, debris, etc. that might be on the surface of the area needing to be graded. Demolition, well it’s demolition. No, not the wrecking ball kind (even though that does happen). Instead we use large excavators to remove old homes or structures that are condemned.
After clearing the surface, the real work begins. To ensure safety, there is a program called “811: Call Before You Dig” in most states. The purpose of 811 is to mark any existing utility lines (water, gas, sewer, cable, electrical, etc) that might be underground where the dig site is to take place. Before any digging begins, our standard is to ensure that the utility lines have been located and properly marked.
Once the utility lines have been marked, we can begin work. Digging, hauling, dumping, grading, compacting- in uniform consistency. The best thing an excavation company can ask for is good compactable dirt with no other obstacles, but typically we run into various other buried surprises. These “surprises” can be buried debris, hard natural rock, unmarked utility lines, topsoil, sediment, etc. Learning to navigate these obstacles, while also ensuring that the job is leveled as precisely as possible, can be challenging.
After the rough grading process is complete, the utilities need to be placed- meaning more excavation. Pipe- whether domestic water, sanitary sewerage, or storm drainage- has to be at the
exact elevation stated by the plans in order to be done correctly. Imagine digging and shoring back thirty feet and having to put a twenty foot stick of pipe within a hundredth of an inch of the plans. The person excavating has to be incredibly careful and organized, while the pipe crew has to be exact and accurate. After utilities have been laid, and grading resumes- most of the underground challenges have been resolved. The final challenge is ensuring the foundation of land is stable and meticulously measured for the proposed buildings or homes.
Excavation poses many challenges that most people don’t think about on a daily basis. Luckily for Estes & Sons, we have been blessed with some very talented individuals that each play such an important role in our everyday activities. When you have the team to depend on, excavation and the opposition that we face as a company becomes effortless.