Trenching Frozen Ground

With Canada’s harsh climates, utility set-ups can fail or be needed before Spring. A lot of companies will not excavate if the ground is frozen for several reasons

• Equipment motors can’t handle the force of breaking through tough ground
• Equipment attachments take too much abrasive damage.
• Harsher ground takes a lot longer to cut through and can be costly if not done with the correct equipment.
• Operators are incredibly uncomfortable in cold conditions.

Utilities can fail all year round, pipes can burst, or additional areas where utilities will need to be repaired or installed. Work will slow down but it the work never stops to keep up with the growing population.

Witch Diggers & Bobcats

When the ground freezes, frost penetrates several feet below the surface, this makes the soil more abrasive. Witch Diggers and Bobcat attachments need to be winter fitted with alligator-tooth chains to accommodate the weather. The Alligator tooth chains are made for abrasive material. The standard cup chain will be too brittle to do this work effectively.

Larger Bobcats and equipment with more HP are recommended to withstand cutting through the abrasive ground. Completing the project with a smaller motor, can increase the cost of a project, cost of maintaining the equipment, and the time spent removing the ground.

Hydrovac Services

Some might look to Hydrovac for locating utilities and small trenches in winter. Hydrovac trucks are equipped with heated tanks that use a high-powered coil. This allows the water to easily penetrate the ground and cut through frost and deep-frozen ground.

 In extreme cold though, constantly running a heater overtime can cause the system stress. If the heater is left off for a period of time, the water tank can freeze. Depending on the temp,  the water can also flash freeze in cold and cause a risk for the jobsite and the operator. This make Hydrovac only ideal for a limited amount of winter projects.

 King of winter cutting – The Vermeer Trencher

The Vermeer trencher is one of the only pieces of equipment designed to handle a lot of cutting in cold weather conditions. The increase size on the blade, the motor, and the overall design help to speed up the rate at which the trenching takes place. This cuts down on the time the operators need to be out in the cold. This makes the Vermeer Trencher one of the safest, fastest, and most affordable method of trenching in winter.

Want to see the Vermeer in action? Click here to see some footage of the Vermeer Trencher at work in Frog Lake, Alberta. It is an incredible piece of equipment!

How CanWest adapts to Weather

CanWest is always growing our fleet of equipment and have been adapting to Canada environments for over 40+ years. With locations in Calgary and Leduc, we are while versed in all that winter can throw at us. We know our equipment, our people, and have learned ways to work around cold weather.

We keep teams all year round and gear-up for winter. Our team is constantly monitoring the weather for project conditions and scheduling in work when given the green light. Our team is on-call for emergencies 24/7 and are often one of the first calls for work that needs done same-day.

Have a winter project and don’t want to wait until spring, contact our team today to receive a FREE estimate. A specialized estimator can walk you through all of your winter options and schedule you in for work to be completed. CanWest also has a Rentals division with alot of winter equipment options available to help contractors reduce project costs and to provide additional solutions.

Winter is a great time to get projects done!

 

Contact us today to arrange for a free Estimate.

 

 

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Maintaining Your Driveway

Cracking, spalling and sinking driveways can be a large homeowner expense. Each year, your driveways require maintenance to help extend the life of your driveway. Make sure to have a maintenance plan for your driveway, from removing the snow and debris, to completing the recommended resealing every 2-3 years. It’s great to get repairs done to increase the appearance and value on a home if you are looking to move.

Cleaning

• Remove dirt, grime, oil stains and rust spots. This is the # 1 item that homeowners can do to prevent deterioration and increase the lifespan of the pavement. 

Removing Snow & Ice

• Snow removal can help prevent deterioration of the surface. Using safe alternatives for traction on ice. Salt and de-icing chemicals can chemically break down the surface of your concrete or asphalt.

Crack Repair & Sealing

• Cracks are especially common in Asphalt. You can hire a professional or there are a lot of great DIY videos on your tube that can show you how to complete crack repairs
• Know when to call in a professional. If the c

• Asphalt sealing is common every few years. This is one of the best preventative measures to save the lifespan on your surface.
• Sealant is a coat that is applied to asphalt and concrete that protects it from the elements and gives it a healthy appearance.

Leveling pavement

• If the surface of your pavement is sinking and is no longer level, this is a sign of deterioration. It would be recommended to get a free estimate to determine the best resolve.
• If the slab is still intact, a process called Mud Jacking can be used. This is where you fill the gaps under the slab in an attempt to level it.
• If the slab is not intact, it is best to find out how the damage started. Better drainage might be needed. The slab might also be cheaper to look at breaking, removing, and placing a new slab.

Breaking & Removing

• Often small repairs can really ad up, and it is more affordable to remove and replace the concrete.
• The concrete is cut into sections, then is chipped or broken out in sections and delivered to a concrete/asphalt recycler.
• Then the surface is leveled and compacted to prepare for a new driveway. A frame is setup, and the concrete poured.
• A few hours after having poured the concrete, green cutting will take place to create joint lines. Joint lines help your concrete to adjust to freeze and thaw cycles where your concrete will expand and contract.

The cost of a repair will often require having an estimator come out to your location to access the damage. From there, the estimator can recommend multiple routes based on your budget. They can help direct you to permits or any additional information you might need for the project.

 

CanWest Concrete has a team dedicated to residential concrete and asphalt projects. In 48 hours we can have someone out to your site to meet with you, and talk with you to find a solution for your project.

Contact us today to arrange for a free Estimate.

 

 

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