How To Prepare For A Stump Removal Project

Posted on: 12 July 2017

Ideally, you shouldn't just wake up one day and start removing that stump in your yard. You need to plan for it to minimize the risk of injury and associated costs. Here are some of the preparatory measures you should adopt:

Clear the Area Around the Stump

The area around the base of the stump should be free from large debris such as rock, discarded tools or other hard objects that may interfere with the operation. There are two main reasons for clearing the area. First, they may interfere with the operation cutting tool, such as stump grinder or power saw, and even blunt it. Secondly, they will reduce your maneuverability around the stump. Therefore, ensure the area is free before hiring a stump grinder or hiring a professional for the job.

Cut the Stump Closer to the Ground

If the stump is particularly tall, then you need to trim it and leave only a small portion of it protruding above the ground. In short, cut it as close to the ground as you can without damaging the power saw. The larger the stump, the more the material the grinder must pass through; this means large stumps will take more time and energy to deal with. You can trim the stump on your own or let the professionals do it for you, but you may have to pay a premium for the service.

Trimming the stump will help you even if you aren't planning to use a grinder. Other stump removal methods such as burning, accelerated rotting, also work best if the material to be dealt with is minimal.

Confirm That You Won't Damage Utility Lines

Any stump removal method that involves digging around the stump involves the risk of utility line damage. There are two main stump removal methods that involve digging. For example, if you want to rot a stump, digging and cutting some of its roots will accelerate the process. You can also dig out (completely) relatively small stumps with your hand or use an excavator.

In both methods, you ran the risk of damaging underground utility lines such as sewer, power, and water pipes. Therefore, confirm that there are no such lines near the stump. If there are, then you should invest in another stump removal method that doesn't involve digging.

If you are not sure what to do or how to remove a stump, then just call the tree removal service and discuss your needs. They may even send a representative to view the stump plus its surroundings and advise you on the best way forward.

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