During construction, the ground where the foundation sits can be vulnerable to damage from things like heavy equipment, heavy rainfall, or frost heaving from seasonal changes in temperature. If this ground isn’t sufficiently protected, it could end up causing cracks or other issues with the foundation over time. If this happens, you may end up paying for repairs out of pocket – and that’s not the only thing that might cost you more money. Depending on where the damage occurred and what type of foundation you have installed, the cost of these repairs could affect your overall budget for the project. That’s why it’s important to take steps during construction to mitigate potential ground damage and protect the foundation from these potential threats as best as possible. Here are some tips for keeping that foundation intact during construction – and preventing future problems moving forward that could significantly increase your costs over time.
Protect the Ground from Heavy Equipment
The first step in mitigating the potential for ground damage during construction is to protect the ground from heavy equipment. Heavy equipment like bulldozers and cranes can wreak havoc on the soil and surrounding vegetation if they aren’t properly secured – which can cause the ground to settle unevenly and end up shifting. To avoid this, you can construct a perimeter fence to protect the ground outside the boundary of the foundation. You can also use temporary fencing to cordon off the area where heavy equipment is operating to further mitigate the impact of construction on the ground.
Protect the Ground from Runoff
Another thing to keep in mind when protecting the ground from construction-related runoff is that heavy rainfall can cause water to flow rapidly and directly into the ground. This can cause the soil to settle unevenly, which can increase the risk of ground damage due to frost heaving. To avoid this, you can use a rain garden or a retention pond to capture and store runoff from the site. A rain garden is typically a small area where water can collect and be removed from the site – whereas a retention pond is a large, open structure that can trap and store water.Depending on your project and the area’s soil, either of these structures could help keep the ground from being damaged by runoff.
Protect the Ground from Frost Heave
Another threat to the ground during construction is frost heave, which is when extremely cold weather causes the soil to expand and contract as it freezes and thaws. This can cause the ground to settle unevenly and create openings for water and other materials to enter the foundation and cause damage. To protect the ground from frost heave, you can cover the ground with a layer of sand and then cover that with a layer of soil.Sand helps to maintain consistent moisture levels and regulate soil temperature, which can help to protect the ground from frost heave. Plus, sand is easy to remove in the event that you need to excavate the ground at a later date for other construction projects – sand is much easier to move around than the soil it’s been mixed with.
Protect the Ground from Excavation
Excavation can be a dangerous activity for the ground, especially if you’re working in an area that has been subject to heavy rainfall or other events that could cause the ground to settle unevenly. To protect the ground from potential damage during excavation, you can install a sheet pile wall around the site that will help to contain any excess water during the construction process.A sheet pile wall is essentially a large, underground sheet of concrete that’s used to protect the ground during construction. This wall is typically installed in a ring around the site and can help to contain water and reduce the risk of damage to the ground.
Conclusion
The ground on which your foundation sits is susceptible to damage during construction, so it’s important to take steps to mitigate this as best as possible. The best way to do this is to protect the ground from heavy rainfall, frost heave, and excavation. These measures can help to prevent the ground from being damaged by construction activities and reduce the risk of costly repairs in the future. If you follow these tips, you can help to protect the foundation of your home – and avoid hefty repair costs down the road.