Groundworks

Footings and Foundations

• Excavation and formation of strip footings, trench-fill foundations, padstones and raft foundations
• Reinforcement, concrete placement and the setting out of walls and loads above
• Underpinning and strengthening of existing foundations where ground movement, tree roots or new openings require it
• Ground beams, piled caps and steelwork bases coordinated with the structure they support

Piling

• Piled foundations where ground conditions, tree influence, existing loads or site access rule out conventional footings
• Pile positions set out, installed and tested, with pile caps and ground beams formed to receive the structure
• Suitable for extensions, new builds. structural work on sites with poor or shrinking ground
• Coordinated with the drainage and level works that surround it, all under a single programme

Retaining Walls

• Retaining walls to terraced gardens, plot boundaries, driveways and level changes, in brick, block, concrete or timber
• Correct design for the load being retained, with drainage and weep holes provided behind the wall so water does not build up
• Replacement or repair of failing walls, including rebuilding where movement or collapse has occurred
• Integrated with the paving, drainage and landscaping around it rather than left as a separate problem

Drainage

• New foul and surface-water drainage - runs, rest bends, junctions, manholes, inspection chambers and gullies
• Diversion, repair and replacement of existing drainage, including pipe replacement, relining and patch repair
• Soil and vent pipework, connections to existing systems and the survey of runs before work starts
• Soakaways, attenuation and surface-water management, including connections to public systems where permitted
• Investigations to locate a blockage or loss of flow, with the cause established before anything is dug up

Drain Jetting Services

• High-pressure jetting to clear blockages caused by fat, roots, silt, scale, debris and mis-connected waste
• Jetting carried out from the most appropriate access point, with runs and connections worked in sequence rather than only at the blockage
• Grease, scale and root removal from commercial kitchen and hospitality drainage, including repeat programmed clearance
• Following clearance, the run is checked to confirm flow has actually been restored and no further obstruction remains

CCTV Drain Surveys

• CCTV survey of drains using a camera on a flexible rod, recording the condition of the run from the inside
• Identification of cracks, fractures, root ingress, displaced joints, collapses, scale build-up, mis-connections and lost falls
• Location and depth of the fault, so excavation can be targeted at the actual defect instead of exploratory digging
• Findings explained with still images or footage and a clear report of what needs doing and why
• Useful for a stubborn or recurring blockage, a purchase or survey enquiry, or before starting any work that may affect a run

Driveways

• Resin-bound and resin-bonded surfaces< and strong> - permeable, smooth and durable finishes over a properly prepared base
• Tarmac< and strong> - cost-effective surfacing for driveways and parking areas, laid to the correct fall away from the building
• Block paving< and strong> - a wide range of block types, colours and laying patterns, with edge restraints, sub-base, sand jointing and sealing
• Imprinted concrete< and strong> - patterned and coloured concrete finishes, sealed for durability and ease of cleaning
• Preparation beneath the surface - excavation, sub-base, compaction, drainage channels and falls away from the property
• Drainage considered throughout - gullies, channel drains, soakaways and connections where the fall or run requires them

Patios

• Indian sandstone< and strong> - natural flag paving in a range of colours and riven or honed finishes, laid on a properly prepared base
• Flagging< and strong> - concrete and stone flag paving to patios, paths and seating areas, laid level and true
• Porcelain< and strong> - hard-wearing low-porosity paving, available in large formats and contemporary finishes
• Full build-up beneath the paving - excavation, sub-base, mortar or pedestal bedding, jointing and edge restraints
• Steps, level changes, retaining edges, borders, seating areas and lighting provision incorporated into the layout
• Falls directed away from the house, with drainage or channel provision where the patio abuts the building

Site Clearances and Site Set-Up

• Clearance of vegetation, structures, hardstanding and waste, with material removed from site
• Excavation, reduced-level dig and preparation of the working platform
• Setting out, temporary works and access arrangements for the trades who follow

Groundwork is priced after a site visit. we look at the practical questions first: access for machinery, ground conditions, where the services run. how the work needs to be sequenced against everything that follows.

Driveways are available in resin, tarmac, block paving and imprinted concrete. patios in Indian sandstone, flagging and porcelain. Drainage channels, gullies and soakaways are provided where the fall or the run requires them.