The South Texas Hill Country is made up of some undeniably beautiful land. It’s no wonder why so many people want to carve out their own little corner of this region to call home.
Despite how stunning its landscapes look, the natural makeup of this region does create quite a few barriers that can make it a challenge to build here.
Before you can make this beautiful area your home, you need to take some special measures to remove its many barriers, which is exactly what our team is here to help you do.
But what exactly are the barriers that we break down, and why do these barriers need to be dealt with by experienced professionals? Read on to learn more about the 5 most common barriers we handle, plus a little background on what makes each one burdensome for builders:
1) Rock
Rocks are the barrier our team gets rid of the most. (It’s in our name for a reason!)
But why do rocks need removing? In truth, there are many reasons.
Rocks can disrupt natural water drainage patterns, leading to issues like waterlogging and even erosion.
But removing rocks incorrectly can be just as bad for your land. If you try to get rid of rocks without following the proper procedures, you can unintentionally cause problems in the surrounding soil, causing it to erode more easily and compromising the future stability of your build. Limestone is one of the biggest risk factors when it comes to rock, because if it is not compacted correctly, it will erode quickly over time.
Our milling machines allow us to handle a wide range of rock types and sizes with unmatched precision and control, so no matter what type of rock barriers you may meet during your build, we can help you overcome them.
LEARN MORE: Our Services: Rock Milling
2) Cedar Trees
Cedars have historically been pegged as one of the peskiest parts of building in South Texas. No hard feelings against this foliage, but it’s true that cedar trees can really wreak havoc on this region’s natural land.
These greedy trees absorb a great deal of water, draining the life from other vegetation in the area. Their water-hogging tendencies can make it hard for the surrounding plants to survive and thrive.
What’s more, cedar trees are often just in the way. When these trees take up precious space on your property, you have less opportunity to leverage your land in the ways you want. If you see cedars spreading their roots into the ground that you want to build on, don’t hesitate to call our team in to deal with this bothersome barrier.
3) Uneven Land
The first step to any successful build starts with taming your terrain.
The raw natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country is just that: raw. Before you can build a robust, stable structure on this type of land, you need to clear it and create a strong foundation. We come in with rock milling equipment to remove obstacles, smooth out rugged land, and create a level surface that is ready for building.
Attempting to build on uneven land is like trying to stack a Jenga tower on top of a lumpy couch cushion. Our team will give your project that smooth, flat surface you need to succeed.
LEARN MORE: Our Services: Land Clearing
4) Thick Brush
Thick shrubbery and dense foliage are trademark features of the Texas Hill Country. These rugged plants sure make for beautiful scenery when they dot the region’s sprawling hills. But when these plants congregate right where you’re trying to build, thick brush can become quite the stubborn barrier: one that is rather difficult to remove.
Brush like cacti or thick tangles of shrubs block valuable areas on your property that could be used for other purposes. Removing these obstacles is a simple way to make your land look better, while also helping to reduce the risk of wildfires.
5) Dirt Roads
The weather of the Hill Country, combined with the wear and tear of regular use, chips away at roads and driveways over time. This gradual degradation can render these paths unsafe to travel on. That’s why it’s crucial to make sure your path is paved and prepared properly.
To avoid putting yourself or other drivers at risk, allow our Texas Rock Milling team to assist. We offer road creation and refurbishment services that can help you carve out a new road or driveway, widen an existing country road, and more.
By creating a strong base for you out of the material that is already present, we build a sturdy road foundation that will last for years and stand up to the elements while simultaneously cutting down the costs of your project.
LEARN MORE: Our Services: Road Creation and Refurbishment
Bonus Barrier: Deciding How Much to Mill
So far, we’ve addressed the many physical barriers of building in the Hill Country. But one mental barrier that can stump many builders is evaluating how much material to mill vs how much new material to import.
It’s important to evaluate how much you can save by repurposing your existing material instead of paying for brand new concrete (and other materials). When you choose to use concrete, you not only have to pay for the actual material, but you also have to pay to transport it all the way to your plot.
That’s why milling can be such a convenient, efficient, and cost-effective option. Our team can turn your barriers into base, making you a robust foundation by recycling usable material you already have on site.
An additional benefit to milling is less concrete exposure for the new home.
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Allow our Texas Rock Milling team to repurpose raw material taken directly from the ground of your property, break down any barriers standing in the way of your build, and use our state-of-the-art milling equipment to turn your obstacles into assets. Learn more.