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From Swales to Asphalt: Building a Complete Driveway Drainage System in Pickerington
Double B Excavations & Grade LLC
Letting Nature Test Our Work
wILL IT HOLD UP TO THE RAIN COMING TONIGHT? MOST LIKELY, YES!
Sometimes the weather works in your favor.
With rain in tonight's forecast, we couldn't have picked a better time to wrap up the drainage portion of our Pickerington project.
There's nothing like nature showing up to test your work!
We're back for day two, getting started early at 8:30 AM on what's shaping up to be one of the hottest days we'll see for a while.
But that's okay - when you're building something that needs to work in all kinds of weather, you might as well test it in all kinds of weather too.
Welcome to Double B!
Safety First: Utility Considerations
Before we could finish our swale system, we had to play it smart with utilities. That power box sitting there wasn't just for show - we knew there had to be important stuff running underground nearby. That's why we waited for our utility locates before touching this section of the project.
This is one of those times where patience really pays off. Sure, we could have guessed where things might be, but when you're dealing with underground utilities, "probably" isn't good enough. Getting those official locates might take a little extra time, but it's a lot better than the alternative - like accidentally finding a power line with your excavator!
Now that we've got the green light, we can move forward with confidence. This is why we always tell people: don't skip the safety steps. Whether you're doing a big project like this or just putting up a fence in your backyard, always get your utilities marked. It's free, it's smart, and it keeps everyone safe.
The Complete System
Now that we've got our utility clearance, we're putting all the pieces together. Think of it like building a water highway system - you need the main roads (that's your swales on both sides of the driveway), the bridges (those are your culverts), and a solid foundation for everything to work right.
Speaking of foundation, we're not just stopping at drainage. Once we get these swales finished and culverts installed, we're moving on to a major driveway upgrade. First, we'll put down what we call "304s" - that's a specific type of gravel that creates a solid base. Then comes the big stuff: 750 tons of asphalt millings. That might sound like overkill, but when you're building something to last, you don't cut corners.
Weather as Quality Control
Here's something cool about today's timing - that rain in the forecast? It's actually going to help us out. Once we get these swales and culverts in place, Mother Nature's going to give us a free demonstration of how everything works. There's no better test than real rain on a real system.
Think about it like this: you can run all the calculations you want, but seeing water actually flow exactly where you planned it to go? That's the real proof that you got it right. We'll be able to watch how water moves through the swales, how it enters the culverts, and most importantly, how it stays away from where it's not supposed to be. It's like getting a grade on your homework right away - you know immediately if everything's working as designed.
Project Timeline and Process
We're making solid progress, and timing really matters on a project like this. Yesterday we got our main swales started, today we're finishing those up and getting the culverts in place. It's like putting together a puzzle - each piece needs to be set before you can move on to the next.
The weather's playing a big role in our planning too. With the rain coming tonight, we want those drainage components finished and ready to go. Then, once everything's proven to work right, we can move forward with the driveway surface upgrades. This isn't just about getting things done - it's about getting them done in the right order.
What we're building here in Pickerington isn't just a drainage system or a driveway - it's a complete solution that's going to protect this property for years to come. From the carefully graded swales to the heavy-duty culverts, and soon that solid new driveway surface, every part works together to handle whatever weather Ohio throws at it.
Wrapping it Up
That's the thing about doing this kind of work right - you have to think about both the big picture and the small details.
You need to know where utilities are before you dig, understand how water wants to flow, and build something sturdy enough to handle everything from tonight's rain to next spring's thaw.
If you're seeing drainage issues on your property, or if your driveway needs more than just a quick fix, let's talk about a complete solution. Because when it comes to protecting your property, doing it right the first time saves a lot of headaches down the road.
And with tonight's rain coming, we're about to show you exactly what "doing it right" looks like.
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