You won’t see the science beneath your pavement, but you will be glad we did our homework.
Nobody thinks about the relationship between water and pavement until cracks, puddles, and slippery spots appear. At Sommerset, water drainage is something we think about constantly. It is one of the key aspects of proper grading, and it drives every decision we make during the grading process.
How and where will water run? How do we direct water away from structures and prevent water damage before it starts? What is the right slope to facilitate drainage across your site?
These are the questions behind every one of our site grading services across Southeast Michigan. Whether it’s a parking lot, roadway, or driveway, pavement should appear level but always have a carefully planned slope. Without it, water sits. With the wrong pitch, it moves in the wrong direction. Either way, problems follow.
Standing water may suit the environment for a while, but it does not suit your pavement, your property, or your future maintenance budget. When it comes to land grading and paving site preparation, our engineers study soil conditions, terrain, and traffic before any heavy equipment touches the ground. Only then do we begin shaping a plan that creates a stable base and long-term performance.
After verifying elevations throughout the project, you are left with a clean, graded surface that performs quietly in the background. That is the goal.
Here’s how we make the grade.
Every project starts by preparing the site properly. Once we assess drainage patterns and identify problem areas, we begin clearing vegetation, rocks, and debris.
This step often includes excavation, digging, and hauling away excess soil to create a workable foundation. Removing organic material is essential because it can hold moisture and lead to instability over time.
A clean, well-prepared site sets the stage for proper grading and a stronger pavement structure. It may look like basic groundwork, but it is one of the most crucial steps in the entire process.
Next comes shaping the land itself. Our grading services focus on creating the desired slope and elevation needed for effective water drainage and long-term stability.
For new construction and commercial sites, we remove loose soil and build a compacted sub base using stone and aggregate materials. In most cases, this includes fine grading services to achieve precise elevations and ensure a smooth, consistent surface.
Grading ensures that water flows where it should and that the pavement above has the support it needs. Without proper grading, even the best asphalt will struggle to hold up.
With the base prepared, we move into the layering process. A properly graded and compacted foundation allows each layer of material to perform as intended.
Binder is applied between layers to help asphalt adhere and form a strong, unified surface. This step is especially important when working over existing pavement or milled surfaces.
A stable base combined with proper material application reduces the risk of erosion, cracking, and future structural issues. It is where expertise shows up in ways you will not see, but will benefit from for years.
Every grading project is shaped by the land it sits on. Soil conditions, slope, traffic load, and intended use all influence how we approach each job.
For commercial and municipal development, we often install multiple layers over a carefully prepared sub base to support heavy use. Residential grading projects require a different approach, but the same attention to stability and drainage.
There is no one-size solution in site grading Michigan properties. Our job is to read the terrain and respond with a plan that fits the ground, not force the ground to fit the plan.
Grading in Michigan means planning for water, weather, and movement in the soil. Freeze cycles, heavy rain, and shifting ground all affect how a site performs over time.
Our site grading services are designed to manage those conditions by directing water away from paved surfaces and maintaining structural integrity below. Proper grading helps prevent erosion, standing water, and long-term pavement damage.
When the ground is shaped correctly, everything built on top of it lasts longer.
Municipal projects demand precision and accountability. Commercial sites require coordination, timing, and the ability to work around active environments. Residential work brings its own level of care and detail.
Across all grading projects, we apply the same approach. Careful site preparation, accurate grading, and a focus on long-term results.
Other Services We Offer
If you can stroll, roll, run, bike, drive or fry an egg on it in July,* Sommerset can pave it.
We’ve got all the ways covered from highways to walkways. Asphalt paving and maintenance for next-door neighbors and international brands, from minor touch-ups to major overhauls. On overpasses and under traffic. Browse out the links below to learn more about our range of services.
*Not recommended unless you like tire-flavored eggs.
From a friendly voice on the first call to smiling faces in the final stages. For asphalt and concrete, driveways and parkways. Check out our services overview to see the full gamut of pavement problems we solve – and how we can turn your stumbling blocks into distant memories.