Recently we have been undertaking a lot of works for clients who have been ordered to de-compact areas on construction sites where there has been encroachment into the Root Protection Area (RPA). In this blog post we are going to discuss what that means and what to do next to resolve it.
If you are reading this we are going to assume you know what a RPA is and the consequences of compacted soil, follow these links to our previous blog posts to find out more Root Protection Zone – What is it and what does it mean? (https://arboraeration.com/tree-roots/tree-root-protection-zone-what-is-it-and-what-does-it-mean/) and What are compacted soils and how can de-compaction of these help trees (https://arboraeration.com/soil/what-are-compacted-soils-and-how-can-de-compaction-of-these-help-trees/).
You have been notified by the LPA that you need to de-compact an area – now what?
Often the LPA (Local Planning Authority) that requests the decompaction will set a time limit on how quickly this needs to be carried out, in our experience this ranges from a week to two weeks. It is also worth noting that is some severe cases the LPA can stop works on a site until the remediation has taken place.
The best way to arrange for a quote for this is to send us an email with the site plans, area of decompaction to be undertaken and any other conditions that the LPA has stipulated. We always endeavour to get back to you with a quote on the same day as your enquiry and try schedule works within a week of our quote being accepted.
Completing the work
We have detailed the way we undertake the decompaction process in other blogs, however, very simply we lay out a grid over the compacted area at 500mm spacings, a pilot hole is made into the soil at the grid intersections, a high pressure air lance is inserted into the pilot hole and compressed air at the rate of 150CFM is injected into the soil, fracturing and decompacting the ground.
Once the work has been completed we photograph the site and complete a report for you to forward onto the LPA so you can show the work has been completed.
