What You Should Know About Dirt Works

Dirt work is a form of excavation that involves the moving and reshaping of soil or dirt to improve the appearance or function of a property. From backhoes and bulldozers to shovels and chainsaws, different tools can be used for this type of work, depending on the job.

What is Dirt Work?

Dirt work, also known as site preparation, is a form of excavation involving the moving and reshaping of soil or dirt to improve a property’s aesthetic or functional features. This type of excavation can be done by hand using tools such as shovels and picks, or it can be done on larger scales with machinery such as bulldozers, backhoes, augers, and chainsaws.

The job of a dirt worker is to level grading, create roads or other pathways, build water-tight basins and ponds, spread soil for landscaping, create retaining walls and mounds for garden decorations, clear forests for new construction sites, establish drainage systems for wet ground and more.

Depending on the property’s needs, a dirt worker may alter the surface by terracing it or building dams. Regarding construction site preparation alone, dirt workers are tasked with installing irrigation lines and reviewing vegetation checks to ensure no hazardous plants or foliage remain onsite.

Why Should You Use Dirt Work?

Dirt work can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. It can enhance drainage around your property and even create walkways or pathways that lead to different destinations, such as decks, patios, and gardens.
Dirt work is also helpful in creating a leveled base for landscaping projects by removing rocks, stones, and other obstructions in the soil.

This makes it easier and more efficient to plant plants or vegetables on your property. Dirt work is also great for controlling water runoff. By properly adjusting the grading of your property, you can reduce the risk of creating a muddy mess in the yard after it rains or snow.

You can also save money on drainage systems and reduce water damage to your foundation by ensuring water flows away from your house. Dirt work professionals are experienced in grading land and installing outlet pipes to redirect runoff. Finally, dirt work can increase soil fertility by adding organic matter and nutrients to your yard’s soil.

What Types of Services Are Included in Dirt Work?

Dirt work services can include excavation, grading, embankment work, trenching, leveling, and recontouring of an area. Depending on the scope of the dirt work project, the services may involve any combination of the aforementioned tasks.

Dirt work may also involve adding or removing soil to create a level surface for a foundation or driveway. It may also prepare an area for construction by excavating and preparing uneven surfaces before installation. Additional services may include installing drainage systems, planting plants and trees, and designing landscaping elements such as walkways or retaining walls.

Dirt work is also used for commercial construction in senior living centers and industrial parks. As part of a construction project, the dirt work can help determine the proper depth of foundations, leveling-off slopes, and excavating to ensure an even surface for proper water drainage.

Examples of dirt work tasks include moving and hauling soil, removing trees, and landscape improvement projects such as planting grass or building stone walkways. Other services might include adding topsoil for gardens and repairing erosion damage.

How Can Dirt Work Improve Your Property?

Dirt work can address soil erosion and drainage issues and help recharge dwindling groundwater levels. If you own waterfront property, dirt work can extend the shoreline using fill dirt, stones, or armored stone riprap. Reshaping the ground land around a home or business can also provide aesthetic enhancements, such as adding steps for an entrance.

Dirt work is also used for building retaining walls to prevent ground and surface water runoff from damaging the adjacent areas on your property. Dirt work can save you money on utility bills by redistributing the site’s soil so that it insulates against extreme temperatures. Additionally, it can create natural fertilizers from organic material and help to reduce potential flooding on your property.

Divert water away from buildings and other installations. If you have areas of your property that need leveling for crop cultivation or landscaping, proper dirt work can also ensure that the land is suitable for all kinds of activities.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Professional for Dirt Work?

Hiring a professional to do dirt work comes with many benefits, including access to specialized heavy machinery, the expertise of a professional team, and an overall better-finishing result for your project or property. Not only will it save you time and physical labor, but it can also reduce the potential hazards of working with heavy equipment.

Professionals also know how to determine the exact soil type and the best ways to safely haul dirt and other materials. Moreover, professionals can access specialized strategies and techniques unavailable to those inexperienced in this field.

Hiring a professional for dirt work also means an experienced team can guarantee a durable and long-lasting result for all soil types, whether for landscaping, foundation, or other projects. Dirt work doesn’t just take manpower but knowledge of the appropriate way to maneuver machines and how to mix and spread the muddy material.

Call an Excavation Team That Gives You an Advantage

Whatever your excavation needs are, hiring a professional company to get it done will ensure that your job is done right and has a solid foundation to last well into the future. Give Shepherd Earthworks a call when you’re ready to start your next project. We’ll ensure your project benefits from hiring a highly skilled team of professionals.