Is Excavation and Grading Needed When Building a New Driveway in the Sun Prairie, WI Area?
The driveway may be a necessary feature but it’s often taken for granted as a simple space to park. Many people only really take notice of their driveways when something goes wrong - like sinking, heaving, debris washing across the driveway after a heavy rain, or cracking asphalt or concrete. When planning a new driveway, you may wonder whether some land modifications could solve the problems. Let’s answer the question: is excavation and grading needed when building a new driveway in the Sun Prairie, WI area?
Everything Begins with a Solid Foundation
Your driveway doesn’t see anywhere near the traffic that a road does, but roads are great examples of how poor preparation inevitably leads to roads that are constantly falling apart. Whether the soil is unstable, the footings are inadequate or poorly applied, or the land is improperly graded, there’s one force of nature that will ruin everything: water. Excavation and grading may be needed to divert surface water away from the driveway. They may also be needed to stabilize soil so it can withstand the pressure of heavy vehicles and paving materials.
A Better Route
The driveway is the ultimate connector between the outside world and your home. Unfortunately, a direct path may not be through the most hospitable terrain. The best path may not be achievable without some excavation and grading: for example, re-routing a natural drainage or moving rocks. While excavation temporarily damages the landscape, the result will be worthwhile as your driveway takes the easiest and most efficient route to your home.
A Proper Drainage System
We can’t say enough about the force of water and the need to prevent damage. Rain runoff and snowmelt are both major forces that can wreak havoc on a driveway that has been simply placed on the surface (even with a decent substrate below the pavement). If water is still moving toward and under the driveway, eventually you will run into problems. A professionally excavated and graded driveway will have a proper drainage system in place to handle the surface and underground water and prevent erosion.
Land Support
A retaining wall can be extremely useful for driveways that traverse sloped landscapes. Placed on the uphill side of the driveway, a retaining wall will hold back the soil and prevent erosion. It will also prevent waterborne debris from washing over the driveway. The footings for a retaining wall will need excavating, and the land above and below the wall will need shaping.
A Prettier Landscape
You know exactly what a bad driveway looks like and there are plenty of examples. A bad driveway is a compacted or muddy trail full of ruts that looks like it was used in the Oregon Trail. A bad driveway is an expansive space covered by ugly, crumbling poured concrete or cracked asphalt full of sprouting weeds. A bad driveway is one that looks like a giant scar on a beautiful landscape.
A good driveway is one that has been properly excavated and graded, with its surface intact. Like this, it’s part of a much prettier landscape. By stabilizing the driveway through excavation and grading, you will improve the entire landscape both aesthetically and functionally.
Whether you’re building a brand new driveway, renovating a landscape, or fixing problems from a poorly built driveway, your local excavation company will help you get the job done right.
Related: Ways to Pair Your Driveway With a New Walkway in Sun Prairie, WI
About the Author
With over two decades in business and maintaining an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau the entire time, Proscapes LLC is a leading landscape company in the Madison, WI, area. As a Unilock Authorized Contractor, we are recognized as the best-of-the-best in our craft—earning numerous awards along the way.