What is building pad construction? Is it important? What steps are taken for proper building pads construction? We will answer those questions in this article by J & A Excavation, serving the Greater Fort Worth area with excavation services. Call us for the heavy jobs; we have the knowledge and equipment to do those jobs correctly.
What is building pad construction?
It is hard to understate the importance of a solid building pad in construction. It, literally, is the foundation below the actual foundation, the solid surface upon which everything else will be built. It is the load-bearing beginning of construction, and if not done properly, will result in structure failure over time.
Put another way, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a perfect example of improper building pad construction.
Prior to the actual construction of the building pad, permits must be obtained, and the site must be surveyed to make sure that existing pipes and wires are not disturbed. Once that is done, it is time for the excavation process to begin.
What are the steps in building pad construction?
It begins with the soil. Without a knowledge of soil composition, and the strength of that soil in terms of handling weight, nothing else can be done. Thusly, the first step in building pad construction is to test the soil and, if the soil is not of a proper constitution, then bringing in proper gravel and/or soil is necessary.
The next step is to allow for, and implement, a proper soil-drainage system. This will involve an understanding of slope and grading, and then the laying of drainage pipes so that rain-runoff will be diverted from the building pad and the eventual foundation, thus avoiding cracking and de-stabilization in the future.
Finally, the building pad can be laid, allowing for the construction of the foundation to follow.
Is it important for any construction job?
Again, we refer back to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Or we refer to any home or office building or warehouse or high-rise which is experiencing a crack in the foundation or a sloping of the floors. Is construction pad important in those cases?
Proper building pad construction can mean decades of trouble-free life for the structure. Improper building pad construction can mean repairs needing to be done within a decade.
All of this is to say that a trained professional needs to undertake this job. We understand the temptation to cut corners and save money, and it is possible in some phases of construction to do that, but not with the building pad. You are literally dooming your project, from the very beginning, if you do not have the knowledge and skill to properly lay down a building pad.
Can you do this yourself? Yes! Can you do it properly yourself? Highly unlikely! This is a classic case of the old adage: simply because you can does not mean you should!
Hire a knowledgeable professional. They are worth the money you will spend in the long run.
A final word about J & A Excavation
J & A Excavation is a trusted name in the Fort Worth area in all phases of excavation and demolition. Whether it is pond excavation, driveway excavation, or any other type of excavation, J & A Excavation has the know-how to do the job correctly the first time and every time.
Call us for a quote!