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Earthworks Whangarei – When Building, Take Note Of The Soil Quality

Wednesday 27 July 2016, 8:42PM

By Cates Brothers Limited

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WHANGAREI

If there’s one thing about pure soil, it’s this: it’s not one of the sturdiest surfaces around. This is especially true in construction applications. Should one ever step onto wet-enough soil, he will leave a footprint. One can imagine how deep the print can get if it were to come from an entire building. With soil being “soft” as it is, the building’s weight will be too much for the malleable surface to bear.

It’s why most experts in earthworks from Whangarei and beyond agree that soil quality is a top construction priority. And for good reason.

Different Soil Types And Their Relevance

There are three major soil types. Organic soil or “top soil” might be good for a flower garden, but not for construction. This type of soil cannot be compacted, which means that it doesn’t form a solid base when subject to pressure. Should there be too much top soil in a construction site, it must be hauled out by a local freight company or whatnot and replaced with a compressible fill.

Granular soils are easy to distinguish. A perfect example is sand. This type of soil has its individual particles visible to the naked eye. Its composition makes it easy to compact, and thus ideal for building. Lastly, cohesive soils refer to clay. This soil type shares a few qualities with top soil—difficult to compact and easily formable when wet. Clays harden substantially when dry, while still possessing low-bearing strength. They may also shrink and dry, making them much more difficult to use as subgrade materials.

Why Remove “Problem Soils?”

It’s not just poor compactibility that problem soils have. They’re also vulnerable to plant overgrowth. Their composition makes them perfect for plant growth. In building circles, this can spell trouble for concrete foundations. Over time, plant life would grow under the concrete layer and would exert too much pressure. This results in cracks and overall structural instability in the long run.

Another good reason to remove problem soils is the prevention of dampness.Water can damage concrete. Problem soils are damp and can retain moisture for a long time, thus causing the concrete over it to suffer.

Cates Brothers is a renowned haulage and cartage company in Whangarei, mainly serving Northland. The company’s fleet of heavy trucks and trailers allow the movement of metals, earth, fertiliser, and everything else that needs moving. Be it haulage or earthworks services, Cates Brothers can cater to a job that requires expertise and industry experience.

Work with a trusted earthworks contractor to adequately prepare construction sites. Visit http://www.catesbros.co.nz today.