On a cleared property, it can often look like a lot of progress has been made when the work is first completed. For instance, the trees have been cut back and the ground is visible again. But then the first heavy rain comes through Cumming and the owner of the property starts to notice grooves on the ground or a shallow pond in the area where the work was carried out.
All of this does not mean that the clearing work was carelessly performed. Instead it often means that the property had drainage patterns which were hidden for months or years underneath the vegetation. Then, once the brush, roots, leaf litter, vines and uneven ground that were disguising how water was moving around was cleared away, the cover was removed revealing runoff that is now able to move more easily and do more damage.
Cleared drainage areas on a lot like this are one of the reasons why GPH Grading treats site preparation as more than simply removing vegetation. Instead the company offers land clearing services alongside land grading, excavation, forestry mulching, brush cutting and related land preparation. This combination of work is vital when a property needs to be made so that it is actually usable after heavy rain, not just opened on the day that the machines come to clear the site.
When Vegetation Was Hiding the Water Pattern
Overgrown land can make water problems hard to identify. For instance, a thick piece of understory may slow water runoff or catch sediment until it is cut down, or keep the property owner from seeing where the ground actually has shallow points where water collects. Leaf litter can also be filling small channels, yet it cannot be seen until the growth above it is cut away.
When clearing removes this kind of cover, the ground becomes visible and also easier to access. Then, a low corner might start retaining additional water or a slope could start sending water towards a garage or fence in a way which was not possible before. Alternatively, a section of ground that looked like it was flat when there was a lot of brush in the way, can be revealed to have enough slope once the overgrowth is removed to allow water to move around faster than expected.
These are common problems on Cumming properties because the area combines rolling terrain, wooded properties, lots that are adjacent to lakes and streams, and properties under active development. Land near Sawnee Mountain, Coal Mountain, Lake Lanier and Highway 20, or indeed the GA 400 suburban corridor, which is being actively developed, can have a lot of slope and soil variation.
Red Clay Changes the Way Water Runoff Behaves
North Georgia red clay is not forgiving when it is disturbed at the wrong time. It can become compacted or ruts under equipment and this changes how it retains water. It can, for example, start to shed rain quickly after a heavy downpours when the surface has become excessively tight and smooth. That means that a newly cleared property can suddenly be revealed to have myriad drainage problems.
Soils that are rich in clay can also make grading decisions more important. This is the case if water does not have a clean path along which to flow away from the work area. In such a situation it can simply pool and sit in low spots or run across exposed ground. Similarly, if equipment creates ruts during wet conditions, those same ruts can become small channels through which the water flows or into which it drains.
For these reasons, clearing and grading land are closely connected. Clearing exposes the land and then grading shapes it in a new way. Planning out any drainage work during these processes should be done with the aim of keeping the cleared area from becoming a recurring drainage problem.
A Tree Line Often Does More Than Just Block a View
Trees and brush are not always just obstacles, even though we might sometimes view them in that way. In many places they slow the movement of water and hold soil in place. Removing too much too quickly in such cases can drastically change how water is running off from a piece of land, especially along slopes and near creeks.
That does not mean that a property that is overgrown has to stay the way it is, but you do need to develop a plan for clearing the site which respects the work that the roots of the trees and bushes have been doing. On some parcels of land, selective clearing is often the best approach, as this will open up the site while also keeping some stabilizing vegetation in place.
If the property has a creek or pond from which there is occasional flow, it is worth discussing drainage issues with the contractor before the clearing work commences, as this can impact on the order in which the work is carried out and the methods used.
Clean-Looking Ground Is Not the Same as Stable Ground
One of the most common problems when it comes to drainage issues and land clearance is when people assume that open ground is ground that is ready to be used for building or some other function. This is not the case. A lot can, for example, look clean after being cleared, but it can still have stumps, roots, loose organic matter or poor water runoff. It can be easy to walk around but still unsuitable for building or preparation as a lawn.
This is especially important when clearing is done as a precursor to land development. For instance, if the next phase of a project is building a house extension, or erecting a detached garage, shop, barn, parking area or driveway, then the site needs more than visibility, along with the right access and drainage.
GPH Grading’s land clearance services in Cumming are especially useful because they take a holistic approach which includes construction preparation in addition to clearance of the site.
Ruts Can Become Drainage Features
Ruts are not just ugly marks in the soil. On a lot with clay soil, a rut can become a pathway along which water starts flowing. Once the water starts following the same depression or groove repeatedly, it can then deepen it and create a problem that is then harder to fix later on.
The risk of rutting increases when the ground is wet or equipment has to make repeated passes through the same area where the ground is soft underneath. Sometimes the best solution in such cases is to delay the work until conditions have improved. Alternatively you can plan for some rough grading work after clearing the land if the owner already knows that the area will need reshaping once it’s been cleared.
Owners can help at this stage by sharing their knowledge about the property. For instance, if a side section gets soft after rain or an old trail washes out every spring, this is information that should be divulged before the work starts, as it will help the contractor to plan in a manner which will reduce avoidable damage.
Mulching Can Help, But It Is Not a Drainage Plan By Itself
Forestry mulching can leave a protective layer of organic material on the ground after clearance work, one which helps reduce the degree to which the bare soil is exposed. This can make a property look cleaner with less hauling, but mulching is not a complete drainage solution in and of itself.
If water is already moving in the wrong direction on the land, mulching can slow down the surface impact, yet it will not reshape the land. If there is a low pocket of compacted clay or some runoff pushing towards a structure, then the property may still need additional grading or drainage work. If the goal is ultimately to have the site ready for building on, mulch is really only a temporary part of the preparation.
The question is not whether mulching or traditional clearing is the best approach in general. Rather the question is which method is most suited for the site being worked on and the specifics of the soil and water movement there.
A Conversation about Clearing and Drainage
Before clearing, a property owner should talk to the contractor about the water issue. Where does water flow on the property during heavy rain? Does water wash smoothly down the driveway towards a drain? Are there damp spots on the land that remain soft long after it has stopped raining? These are all important questions.
Even if the owner does not know the technical answers, observations help. For instance, photos of the area after heavy rainfall can be useful. So can notes about where grass grows and where it doesn’t, or where the land stays muddy after the rest of the yard has dried out.
Details like these can help the contractor to decide whether the land should also be graded or leveled when the trees and so forth are being cleared. If drainage issues are ignored until after the lot is opened up, the owner may have to pay more money for work that could have been anticipated with better prior planning.
When Grading and Clearing Should Be Done Together
Some lots only need clearing and cleanup, while others require grading work as well. The signs that grading work may need to be part of the overall plan include standing water, uneven slopes, soil erosion, exposed clay and soft spots, as well as the details of what work is intended after the space is cleared.
If your property in Cumming is being cleared for a building project, ask the contractor whether this should also involve some grading work to aid the construction work. Whatever your needs, GPH Grading (https://gphgrading.com/land-clearing-cumming-ga/) is the right place to start when looking to have clearing and grading work carried out in Cumming.
FAQs About Drainage on Cleared Lots
Why did water show up after my lot was cleared?
The water was probably there before, but the vegetation made it harder to see it. It is only once the brush and leaves are removed that low spots that retain water become more visible.
Does clearing land cause erosion?
It can if the exposed soil is not managed correctly. Clearing work should take the possibility of soil disturbance into account, as well as drainage direction and whether the site needs grading or stabilization work as well afterwards.
Is forestry mulching better for drainage?
Forestry mulching can reduce the degree to which bare soil is exposed, as it leaves organic material on the surface to protect the land, but it does not replace the need for grading work when the land needs reshaping.
Should I wait until dry weather to clear my property?
Dryer conditions can reduce the possibility of rutting, especially on clay soils. The right timing depends on the specifics of the property and the kind of equipment which needs to be used.
What should I show the contractor before clearing?
Show the contractor any damp areas of the site, as well as low spots and ditches, and the places where you plan to build. Photos which show how the property behaves after it rains are also useful.
Clearing Should Make the Property Easier to Use
A cleared lot should not become a drainage problem. Ideally it should make the property easier use. Early planning to account for the soil type, water drainage issues and much more besides is usually the best and cheapest way to go about doing this.
For Cumming property owners dealing with overgrowth, red clay and water runoff, or who need grading work carried out with an eye to future construction work, GPH Grading can help develop a detailed site clearance plan. Call us today at (770) 377-1236 or at https://gphgrading.com/land-clearing-cumming-ga/ to plan the next step in your project.
