The Process of Dewatering for Construction Site
The process of dewatering a construction site can seem pretty complicated. The number of variables involved can make the whole thing seem very daunting. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
In reality, construction site dewatering isn’t so hard to understand. In fact, it’s probably been vital to building all kinds of places you visit every day.
That being said, let’s find out the process of dewatering for constructions sites and just what does dewatering mean in construction?
What Does the Process of Dewatering Involve?
Put simply, dewatering is just removing water from soil that’s designated for construction. Because water can have any number of negative effects on a building before and after construction, it can be crucial to carry out.
What are the methods of dewatering? Well, there are far too many different methods to cover adequately here. In the event only a small volume of water needs to be moved, sump pumps may be all that’s needed. Larger volumes require more elaborate and technology-intensive systems, however.
However, generally, construction workers use water pumps to transfer water away from their sites to enable them to work more effectively. Ground dewatering is often a key part of rendering a construction site safe for work.
There are a few different applications of dewatering, however. Dewatering can also act as a form of site remediation, minimizing the potential for environmental damage during construction.
If carried out improperly, the effect of excavation dewatering on adjacent structures can actually be negative. Problems such as erosion may occur if the process of dewatering isn’t carried out according to best practices.
Why Do We Need Dewatering at a Construction Site?
The presence of saturated soil at a construction site can be a huge problem. Waterlogged soil is an obstacle to concreting and can cause excavation instability.
If dewatering isn’t carried out, entire construction projects can end up undone.
Done properly, however, the process of dewatering enables builders to dig drily and safely. It also ensures that the various braces holding the construction site up aren’t destabilized by groundwater.
Likewise, dewatering is necessary in the event that groundwater around a site is contaminated. In this instance, a well-thought-out dewatering plan is necessary to remove potentially hazardous water from areas in which people will be living and working.
Regardless of the reasons for the dewatering process, it’s essential to carry it out according to best practices. Anything else risks worsening the problem you are trying to solve.
Do I Need Dewatering for my Construction Project?
Ultimately, the kind of dewatering a project needs depends entirely on context. A small volume of clean water will be a far easier process than a lake of contaminated groundwater. That’s why it’s important to talk to experts when planning your build.
Luckily, those experts are only a click away on our website! If you want to learn more about the process of dewatering for construction sites or want to develop a dewatering plan for your project, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
