Hello everyone.  I hope that you’re well and happy,

It’s nearly February!  We’ve had some snow and some rain, which seems to be more typical than not as of late.  Also typical is how fast spring and the ground work season arrives each year.   This year will be no exception I’m sure.  I have had several discussions with potential customers this winter about scheduling work that I thought would be prudent to mention in a blog post.

First though, a few notes in an effort to keep everyone updated via social media:

• I will be working on updating my website more regularly.  It can be found here:  landshapersexcavation.com.    You’ll find a list of services performed, pictures, etc.
• I have been a fairly consistent user of Instagram recently as it is quick and easy when working.  @landshapersexcavation.  You’ll find a lot of pictures and videos there.
• I’m also working on becoming engaged with Facebook again after a several year hiatus.  @landshapersexcavation  The company page is Landshapers, Inc.
• I will also be working on getting this blog used more frequently.  I realize everyone’s inbox is usually full of junk email. I for one work diligently to  purge mine often.  However, I will use these emails to keep my customers and contacts informed regarding often-asked questions and items that I hope you’ll find interesting.  Please feel free to forward any information you think would be of interest to your contacts. Or if you prefer you may unsubscribe any time.  I will never sell or allow anyone else to have my contact list.  You’re receiving this because we’ve done business together or we have contacted each other in the past.

On to today’s topics:

Road postings

In the excavation and trucking business we are governed by road postings in the spring. Road postings are meant to protect the road surface and road base from excessive damage during the spring thaw as the frost leaves the ground.  Almost all town roads are usually posted.  There are actually  orange “posters” that are attached to telephone poles, signs, etc. These posters regulate the weight that is allowed on a road in the spring. The maximum load is typically less than my empty triaxle weight and thus I cannot haul any material over the road to and from a job. There are exceptions, however, for the most part hauling isn’t done when the roads are posted. The time of the year when these posters are put up is highly dependent upon the weather and up to each town’s road commissioner.  The posters are usually written such that the road will remain posted until the first week or two in May.  The postings may be taken down early and often are, again pending weather.  Given this, I usually tell my customers that I cannot begin to schedule work on posted roads until mid-May.   Additionally, Maine DOT also posts some roads, although most state and state-aid roads are not posted.

As you may have already surmised then, posted roads severely restrict my ability to work “early” in the spring on most jobs.  There are some jobs that allow access via state and state-aid roads as noted, however, it’s then up to mother nature whether I will haul early in the year.  A loaded triaxle weighing about 70,000lbs is nothing to be taken lightly.  Pun intended (-:

Site work and septic systems: why the relationship is important

I have been in touch with several potential site work customers this winter and the topic of  a septic system is always addressed.  I’m often asked two things, which are, in a nutshell: Can I give an estimate and where does it go?  To which I always answer “do you have a plan from a site evaluator”?

Septic systems are constructed from a formal plan created by a licensed soil test evaluator. In most cases the contractor who builds the system and the soil test evaluator are two separate entities.   The plan is drawn on an HHE 200 form.  The plan is created from on-site soil tests, along with other factors, typically the number of bedrooms in the house.  The site’s soil conditions will dictate in part how large the system is and where it may or may not be located. This plan is required by the state and town.  The town and state also require that a fee be paid and a permit issued by the code enforcement officer before any work can be done to construct the system.

As just mentioned, a crucial aspect of the process is that the soil test will determine where the system may and may not be built. There are times when the soil and or terrain is not ideal for a leach field, or ledge is too close to the surface grade, etc.  There are also  easements, rights-of-way, zoning, and boundary lines that affect where a leach field is built. This may cause the leach field to be moved, which may in turn affect where a house, driveway, etc. may be located on the site.  Additionally, in most cases of new construction all water wells must be located 100ft from a leach field.   Lastly, all of the items mentioned can have an impact on construction logistics.  The well, septic system and house foundation all require truck and/or equipment access at some point during construction.  Knowing where the leach field and septic tank will be located is a key component of construction and best determined early in the site work  process.

For these reasons, I always advocate for a soil test to be done prior to any site layout, and frankly before any raw land is even purchased.

Thank you for reading.  Any questions or comments?  Please let me know.

Best regards,