5 Excavation Projects to Tackle Before Winter

Fall always seems to go quickly in Eastern Ontario. One minute it’s September, and the next the ground is frozen and the snow is here.

If you’ve been putting off excavation or property work, fall can be a great time to get it done. Taking care of drainage problems, rough driveways and uneven grading now can help prevent bigger headaches through the winter and when all that snow starts to melt in the spring.

Here are five excavation projects worth tackling before winter arrives.

1. Fix Drainage Problems

If you’ve noticed standing water, soggy areas, washed-out sections of your property or water collecting near your home or other buildings, don’t ignore it heading into winter.

Proper drainage helps direct water where it needs to go and protects your property from erosion and excess moisture. Depending on the property, the solution might involve regrading, ditching, installing or repairing a culvert, or another drainage solution.

Fall is also a good time to identify trouble spots because you can often see exactly where water is collecting after heavy rain.

2. Repair and Grade Your Driveway

Eastern Ontario winters can be tough on gravel driveways. Existing potholes, ruts and drainage issues can become even worse after months of snow, ice and freeze-thaw cycles.

Before winter, consider having your driveway graded and repairing low or washed-out areas. Additional gravel may also be needed to restore the surface and create a solid, well-draining driveway heading into winter.

A little work in the fall can make snow removal easier and help your driveway hold up better through the winter and spring thaw.

3. Correct Poor Grading Around Your Property

Water should naturally move away from your home, garage and other structures — not toward them.

If the grade of your property is directing water toward a building, creating large puddles or contributing to erosion, fall is a good time to correct it. Proper grading can improve drainage now while also preparing your property for the large amount of water that can arrive during the spring snowmelt.

Fixing the problem before the ground freezes can help you head into spring with one less thing to worry about.

4. Install or Repair Culverts

A damaged, blocked or improperly installed culvert can cause water to back up, wash out driveways and create drainage problems around your property.

Before winter arrives, check your culverts for damage, sediment buildup and signs that water isn't flowing properly. If a culvert needs to be replaced or a new one installed, completing the work in the fall can help ensure water has a clear path during winter thaws and spring runoff.

5. Get a Head Start on Next Year's Projects

Planning a garage, addition, new driveway, landscaping project or other construction next year?

You may not have to wait until spring to get started.

Depending on the project and conditions, excavation, land clearing, grading or site preparation may be completed in the fall. Even if the work itself needs to wait, fall is a great time to start discussing your project with an excavation contractor so you can understand what will be involved and plan ahead.

Spring is a busy season for excavation work, so getting the conversation started early can also make scheduling easier.

Don't Wait Until the Ground Freezes

There is still plenty of time to get outdoor projects completed in September and throughout the fall, but the window doesn't stay open forever.

If you have a driveway that needs attention, a drainage problem you've been meaning to fix or an excavation project you'd like to get underway, Burns Excavation can help you figure out the best approach for your property.

Have a project you'd like to tackle before winter? Contact Burns Excavation to discuss your excavation, grading, drainage or site preparation needs in Eastern Ontario.