Dewatering is the process of getting rid of the surface water or groundwater from a particular location. Natural evaporation aside, dewatering mainly involves removing groundwater or surface water from a particular construction area using pumps. Dewatering is essential in construction sites for making the soil stable and drier to allow site preparation.
It is hard to start construction in an area with excess water. There are comprehensive pumping companies that offer high-quality hydraulic pumping and much more to ensure steady performance. These services come with a lot of benefits. Here we will focus on the benefits of dewatering as well as some methods of dewatering.
Dewatering makes sure your project is within regulations, safe for employees and tools, and operating on time. The benefits of dewatering a construction site include:
Stable Soil
The process of eliminating excess water through the dewatering process can help to avoid certain hazards such as unstable construction foundations, equipment failure because of bogging and mudslides. Dewatering also ensures your construction site is prepared for cement footing pours, foundation preparation as well as excavation. When you control such hazards, your worksite will be suitable for your crew and site managers to begin their work.
Worker Safety
The process of dewatering may assist in maintaining the health of your employees. It will keep them happy and safe, which is very important. Stagnant water may regularly end up causing pollution which eventually poses various health risks to your managers, employees, families, and the surrounding community. In addition, a site full of water increases the chances of falling and slipping, which may cause injuries.
Scheduling
Effective and incorporating dewatering strategies help to keep all the construction projects on schedule. When the construction is ongoing, adversities may occur at any stage. The adversities may include flooding caused by unexpected storms or continuous rain. Effective dewatering may help to reduce such unexpected delays.
Minimum Impact on the Environment
In most instances, stagnant water may lead to soil erosion. In addition, stagnant water often accumulates toxins and debris from contaminants in the air. Stagnant water is a breeding place for mosquitoes with dangerous viruses to individuals, such as West Nile.
Proper and effective dewatering techniques enable construction sites to eliminate contaminated water and any toxic substance that may be present. It helps to prevent erosion or hazards while creating a friendlier environment for construction.
Protect Valuable Equipment
Building materials and construction equipment are very expensive. The presence of excess moisture due to the stagnant water may affect the construction tools and destroy the important materials which keep the construction site on schedule.
Use dewatering techniques to prevent unnecessary budget overages and project delays. Such preventative measures will help keep your construction equipment safe and keep your worksite free from stagnant water.
The Best Techniques of Dewatering
Several dewatering techniques are trendy and quite effective when dewatering any construction site. Many firms offer these services. Here are the most common dewatering methods:
WellPoint
WellPoint dewatering is among the most cost-effective methods of dewatering. This technique consists of many small wells with a certain depth and well-spaced near the excavation. Pumps, valves, and pipes are connected to eliminate excess water. It is applicable for shallow depths.
Eductor
The educator is more expensive than the well point, though it has deeper wells. Many projects find this technique essential. It has ejector systems that lower the water level. However, it may include solid particles when extracting water.
There are more methods suitable for various projects, though consider some of these tips when dewatering:
- Avoid dewatering during rainy seasons
- If you see any erosion signs, stop dewatering.
- Obtain permits from a professional contractor.
Dewatering is an essential part of constructing a house. It helps you avoid major problems you can encounter during construction. Utilize the help of a dewatering contractor before you begin dewatering your worksite.