Grading

We all know that a solid foundation is the most important part of any construction project. Without properly compacted soil or appropriate sloping and water runoff mitigation, natural settling or weather elements can ruin a property and its structures. At Nixcavating, Inc., our experiences with the different types of soil throughout Colorado ensures we have the knowledge and equipment needed to ensure a solid base to build upon.

Our site preparation and grading projects are often interconnected with our foundation excavation and utility installation projects. Nixcavating is a full service site work contractor, from the initial erosion control installation and clear and grub existing vegetation work, to the completion of fine grading and prepping for hard surface installations.

Grading is the process of moving soil from elevated ground to fill in low spots and/or changing the degree or direction of a slope to effectively direct water away from a foundation or other structure. The correct grade or slope is essential to ensuring the land has proper drainage and maintains its stability.

Site grading can be split into two types, rough grading and fine grading. Rough grading is a broad strokes approach to dirt work, and entails a variety of duties, such as:

• Removing large rocks or boulders from a work area
• Sloping soil to help with erosion, or site drainage
• Building up berms for privacy
• Clear and grub vegetation

Fine grading, or finish grading, is where the precision work comes into the dirt work. The crew uses measurements generated by engineers and site surveyors to ensure the finished surface of the work ends up as detailed on the construction drawings. Our dirt elevation needs to be within 1/10th of an inch of the elevations, but that attention to detail ensures the site is ready for the concrete foundation or sidewalk contractors.

Clear & Grub Vegetation:
Oftentimes, lots are covered in grass, weeds, and other plants that make the top layer of soil unsuitable for construction. Clearing and grubbing a site, or work area, entails using a wheel loader or other piece of heavy equipment to grade off the top 4” or so of soil, removing the vegetation and majority of roots.
Once that is completed, the survey crew is able to layout the project, helping to ensure our crew of skilled operators work as directed in the construction drawings.

Erosion Control:
All jobs sites are required to have erosion control (BMP’s) installed, to some degree or another. The main focus of erosion control is to ensure the soil stays on site, and that when a storm event happens, the soil does not wash away onto the roads or water systems, such as streams or lakes.

Correct grading and sloping of the land can be another way to control site erosion. If you’re noticing areas where your site has a washout after storms, or the vegetation doesn’t seem to be taking off as it should, consider a site walk with one of our estimators to discuss options.

Gravel Parking Lots, Driveways and Roads:
Our experienced team of heavy equipment operators can smooth grade potholes, washboarding, and natural material displacement that happens overtime on gravel roads, driveways and parking areas. Our goal when working on a gravel surface is to slope or crown the middle area enough that water will gravity shed naturally after a storm event. We also generally prefer to install fractured granite, which when compacted, interlocks to create a very sturdy surface. The other common material we install and compact is recycled asphalt, which also creates a smooth and dust free surface, the only downside we’ve heard customers experience is the small asphalt pieces that can be tracked into the home or business.

Next to a bumpy gravel road, dust mitigation is another common concern received from customers. There are a few options to help with dust produced on a gravel road, and one of them is even free!

Option 1: magnesium chloride application, which needs to be applied right after a road is graded and moisture conditions (thoroughly wet due to a recent storm or using a water truck).
Option 2: adequate depth of rock or other material covering the dirt road or parking area
Option 3: keep vehicles from driving over 15 mph over the roadway, which is the most challenging, but also free solution!

Whatever your grading needs in Longmont, Boulder, or the surrounding areas, Nixcavating, Inc. has solutions. Contact our office for more information about our grading services or to request a consultation today.