When temperatures drop and the ground freezes, underground utility lines face increased risks from frost heave, shifting soil, and heavy snow loads. Whether you manage water lines, drainage tile, or other essential underground systems, winter maintenance is key to preventing costly damage and ensuring everything operates smoothly through the cold months. Here’s what you need to know about winter line maintenance and how to keep your systems in top shape.

Winter weather can be brutal on buried infrastructure. As the ground freezes and thaws, it expands and contracts, potentially causing pipes or drainage systems to shift, crack, or even collapse. Heavy snow and ice accumulation can also put excess weight on above-ground access points like manholes or risers, leading to damage or blockages. For farm drainage systems, frozen or clogged tile can create standing water in fields, impacting spring planting.

1. Inspect Before the Freeze
​The best way to avoid winter-related issues is to inspect and address problems before the cold sets in. Check for:

• Leaks or cracks in water lines and tile outlets
• Blockages caused by sediment buildup or debris
• Shallow pipes that may need added insulation or soil coverage to prevent freezing

2. Keep Drainage Tile Functioning Properly
​Frozen or clogged drainage tile can prevent water from moving away from fields, leading to poor drainage in the spring. To avoid issues:

• Ensure outlets are clear of debris, ice, or sediment.
• Check for rodent activity, as burrowing animals can damage tile lines and create blockages.
• Consider adding surface inlets in problem areas to prevent excess water buildup.

Read more about clogged drain one of our customers experienced in 2024 at his blog.

3. Prevent Water Line Freezing
​Frozen water lines can lead to costly repairs and major disruptions. Take these precautions:

• Insulate exposed lines or vulnerable areas with foam or heat tape.
• Keep a slow trickle of water running in extreme cold to prevent freezing.
• Ensure proper depth when installing new lines to keep them below the frost line.

4. Monitor Soil Movement
​Frost heave can cause underground pipes to shift or even rupture. If you notice:

• Unusual wet spots in fields or near utility lines
• Uneven ground or heaving soil around tile inlets
• Changes in drainage patterns after a thaw

It may be time to inspect and repair affected areas to prevent long-term damage.

5. Plan for Spring Repairs
​Even with the best precautions, winter can take a toll on underground systems. If you suspect damage but can’t address it immediately, create a plan for spring repairs. Early maintenance can prevent small issues from turning into major expenses.

While some winter line maintenance tasks can be handled independently, a professional grading and excavating team can help ensure your underground utilities remain in peak condition. Our team at Gravel Grading and Excavating has the equipment and expertise to inspect, repair, and install drainage tile, water lines, and other essential underground systems.

If you’re concerned about your underground utilities this winter or need expert advice on maintenance and repairs, give us a call. Preventative care now can save you time, money, and headaches when spring arrives!

📞 Contact us today at 563-542-6610 to schedule an inspection or discuss your winter line maintenance needs!

In summer 2023, a client contacted us about a troublesome area on his property.

Problem #1: the edges of his corn field and hay strips dropped off significantly into a wooded area. Over time the problem had gotten worse and worse with heavy rain events eroding topsoil, creating ruts and ravines.

Problem #2: the timber ground had a lot of dead ash trees and overgrown, prickly shrubs, limiting his family's ability to hunt, hike, or ride their UTV through.

After visiting the site, our team came up with a plan that would help the property owner shape the hills that ran along the field and grub out the timber.

Our plan was to:
grub out overgrown/dead trees and shrubs
install tile lines to facilitate drainage from the farm ground to a nearby natural water source
grade the hillsides to prevent further topsoil and sidehill erosion

Ever pondered why "grubbing out" is necessary ?

1. Understanding "Grubbing Out"
"Grubbing out" isn't just about reclaiming land; it's a transformative process. It involves clearing overgrown shrubs, trees, and dense vegetation to cultivate fertile ground for farming in the future or more accessibility around the property.

2. Unlocking Farm Potential
On a farm, every inch of land counts. By grubbing out, farmers reclaim valuable space for cultivation, grazing, and infrastructure development. This not only maximizes the farm's potential but also creates healthier pastures and efficient land management practices.

3. The Process
Grubbing out on a farm is no small feat, as you've seen in our recent photos and videos. It requires an extensive plan, big equipment, and a lot of sweat equity.

4. Erosion Control and Topsoil Conservation
Beyond creating space for farming activities, grubbing out plays an important role in erosion control and topsoil conservation. By removing overgrown vegetation, farmers mitigate the risk of soil erosion, preserving topsoil and safeguarding the farm's productivity. It's a proactive approach to land stewardship, ensuring the sustainability of agricultural practices for future generations.

5. Reaping the Rewards
Once the land is grubbed out, farmers can expand crop fields, establish new grazing areas for livestock, or even introduce orchards and vineyards.

So, the next time you hear about "grubbing out" on a farm property, remember – it's not just about clearing land; it's about preserving the ground for the future, as best we can today.

Spring is the perfect time to get your fields cleaned up or install ag tile in low-lying, hard-to-drain areas of your property.
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Give our crew a call if you want to discuss an upcoming ag tile project on your property this spring!

When it comes to modern civilization, few things are as essential as a reliable water supply.

We turn on our faucets with the expectation that clean, potable water will flow without a second thought. Yet, underground lies a complex network of water mains, the lines that make water delivery to our homes and businesses possible.

Over time, these mains may deteriorate, prompting the need for replacement, which was exactly the case for our project this summer at 3rd Ave SE in Cascade.
So what does a water main replacement process look like?

1. Assessment and Planning
Before the first shovel hit the ground, engineers and city officials collaborated to evaluate the existing water main's condition and gauge its remaining lifespan. Factors like material degradation, corrosion, leaks, and capacity constraints all contributed to the decision to replace the water main.

2. Securing Permits and Stakeholder Communication
The replacement of a water main is no small feat and can impact numerous people, including residents, businesses, and local authorities. Our crew worked closely with city officials to secure the necessary permits and ensure that the project adheres to zoning regulations and environmental guidelines. Effective communication with the community is also key in a project like this, as residents need to be informed of potential disruptions such as road closures, water service interruptions, and construction noise.

3. Clearing the Path
Clearing the work area is the initial step, like we shared in yesterday's post. This involves excavating the surface above the existing water main to reveal the web of pipes and connections underground (pictured below). The main is shut down, and temporary water supply solutions are set up to ensure that the community's water needs are still met during the replacement process. The next stage involves removing the old pipes, which requires a delicate balance to avoid disrupting other utility lines and structures.

4. Installation: Piecing Together the Future
The heart of the replacement process involves installing the new water main. Modern technology has revolutionized this step, allowing crews like ours to install advanced materials like durable plastic or corrosion-resistant metals. These materials offer longevity and minimize the need for future replacements. Contractors work meticulously to lay the new main according to the predetermined blueprints. We connect each section, ensuring watertight seals and proper alignment.
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5. Testing and Quality Assurance: Ensuring Perfection
With the new water main in place, a series of tests follows. Our crew inspects each joint, connection, and segment to ensure integrity. Pressure tests are conducted to evaluate the main's ability to handle the flow of water without leaks or bursts.

6. Restoration and Community Revival
Once the water main replacement is deemed successful, the restoration phase begins. Our crew backfills the trenches, replacing soil and pavement. Roadways are repaved, sidewalks reconstructed, and landscaping revitalized (more to come on this tomorrow!)

The process of replacing a water main is a blend of engineering, technology, community cooperation, and elbow grease. From the initial assessment to the final restoration, our crew works to ensure that clean and reliable water continues to flow through the community's taps.
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Our thanks to the City of Cascade for having us in on this project, and all the people in the neighborhood for their cooperation!

Summer is the perfect time for cleaning up your properties and getting rid of overgrown shrubs and trees. Clearing trees and shrubs on a rural property and farmland can have several benefits, depending on how you currently use or plan to use the property.

​Here are some potential advantages to performing tree and shrub removal on your property:

1. Agricultural Expansion: Clearing trees and shrubs allows for more open space, which can be utilized for agricultural purposes. It provides room for crop planting, livestock grazing, or makes room for orchards and gardens.
2. Fire Prevention: In fire-prone areas, clearing trees and shrubs can create defensible space around structures, reducing the risk of wildfires spreading and causing damage. It helps to eliminate potential fuel sources and creates firebreaks. Thankfully, we don't have to worry about this too much in Eastern Iowa.
3. Improved Safety: Removing trees and shrubs near buildings, roads, or power lines can enhance safety. It reduces the risk of falling branches or trees during storms, minimizing property damage and protecting your home or outbuildings.
4. Pest Control: Overgrowth of bushes, shrubs, and grasses can attract pests like rodents and insects. Clearing out these areas of your property can reduce their habitat, minimizing the risk of infestations and potential damage to crops, structures, or stored goods.
5. Enhanced Views: Depending on personal preferences, clearing trees and shrubs may open up scenic views of the surrounding landscape. It can improve the aesthetics of the property and create a more open and spacious feeling....remember that job we did a few years back on the bluffs of the Mississippi? This is one such case where a grub out dramatically enhanced the views.
6. Accessibility and Ease of Maintenance: Removing excess vegetation can make it easier to access different areas of the property, such as paths, roads, or water sources. It simplifies maintenance activities like mowing, landscaping, and fence repair.
7. Construction and Development: Clearing trees and shrubs may be necessary when constructing new buildings, lanes, or other infrastructure on your property. It provides space for your dreams...not to mention it will help your contractors out immensely!

It's important to evaluate the specific needs of your property and consider the potential long-term effects before undertaking any large-scale clearing project. Consulting with local experts, such as arborists or conservationists, can provide valuable insights for your specific property.

How can Gravel Grading & Excavating move the earth for you on your property? Contact us to get your project on the books.

​Brad loves new equipment and adopting technologies to provide even better and more accurate services. He is especially excited for the new GPS-equipped bulldozer joining the fleet this year. We’ll save a whole post to share more about that, but Brad is excited to provide LOTS of content.

The equipment shines inside and out. See the difference!

This year it is our excavator's turn for a makeover. We are replacing the revels on our excavator. 

Not all of our equipment is on a winter break. Did you know we offer snow removal services? Here is an early morning photo with Brad and his little helper Judd.

We're all geared up for the year! Contact us for more information on snow removal or to get on the schedule for 2023.

Gravel Grading and Excavating is here for your frozen pipe emergencies… But we would rather meet under better circumstances, like:
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• Excavating a pond for summer fun
• Clearing land for a new home build
• Contributing to community projects

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As the ground around our water pipes freezes and thaws, it grows and expands. Pipes can heave and break from the movement which makes for a big mess and limited access to your family’s most important resource: Water.

Not only do we get to play with our big toys every day, it’s our actual job. We are grateful for the opportunity to support our families doing what we love. ​

Laser grading is able to achieve miniscule standards compared to our giant equipment. To put this into perspective, imagine the size of a baseball field. The highest slope suggested for a baseball field is .5%. That means over the whole baseball field, there can be no more than ½ inch difference in elevation!

This creates a level base for the building and for the manure pit below. Having a level surface protects against heaving and cracking. Proper drainage is essential for animal waste management.
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Last fall we used laser grading to prepare a site for a bunker build.

Bunkers require a perfectly level foundation. The prefabricated pieces must fit perfectly together so feed cannot spill out. They also must be square and sturdy to accommodate the heavy equipment driven on silage to pack it in.

We’re known for our huge, heavy equipment as a grading and excavating company, but with laser grading we can acheive fine, smooth results.

Contact us today to learn more about our laser grading services for your big build.