Top Landscaping Calgary Mistake   by David Abbott

in Home / Landscaping    (submitted 2010-03-12)

Top Landscaping Calgary Mistake

Landscaping a newly constructed home before any sub-surface settling has occurred

This is a common mistake, and often a very expensive one. We see all the time in Landscaping in Calgary. Home owners are in a rush to complete their landscape, so immediately after the home is built they install their patios, walkways, sod, etc. One morning, following a heavy watering of the sod or a heavy rainfall, they wake up to find their walkway at the side of the house has sunk a foot. Their patio at the back has all but disappeared, swallowed by a massive sink hole. They rush to the phone to tell their landscaper, the landscaper swings by the home, takes a look, and says 'uh huh, sub surface settling, our warranty doesn't cover that'
Homeowner goes a pale white and feeling unsteady, looks for a level spot on the patio to try and stay upright.

How did this landscaping mistake it happen?
The ground that surrounds the foundation of your home has been disturbed and loosened greatly during the building process. So, the previously solid and stable soil is now unstable and prone to settling with moisture and time. You would never know it wasn't stable by looking or walking on it...but it is.

How to make sure this won't happen to your landscaping in Calgary
Most landscaping companies will ask you when your home was built and they will not proceed with landscaping in Calgary until the settling has subsided. However, some landscapers will go ahead regardless, but they will have a clause in their contract with you that specifies they are not responsible should sub-surface settling occur. To make sure your property has settled properly you can either wait a year or so, or speed up the settling process by thoroughly soaking your property repeatedly, especially around the foundations and out about 6 feet. This will mean you or your landscaper will have to add more builders loam or soil to fill up the sunken areas.

If your planning on creating a new landscape for your property visit: http://www.landscapingcalgary.org or to learn more about landscaping in Calgary visit: http://www.landscapingcalgary.net

About the Author

Owner of Chinook Landscaping in Calgary and Medicine Hat, Alberta. Creator of http://www.landscapingcalgary.net an excellent resource for landscaping in Calgary.