Protecting yourself while taking part in any kind of significant project on your property is always going to be important, and any hardscape project you’re getting started on within your landscape is no exception. Between materials that are often heavy and settings that may pose a few minor risks, it’s important to ensure you have the right equipment and tools to perform the job safely and effectively.
At BioGrass Sod Farms, we’re here to offer a wide range of landscape hardgoods and other landscaping products, including sod, mulch, compost and more. We’ll also provide expertise and tips to our clients in many areas, including important concepts like proper equipment for any landscaping job. Here’s a look at some of the most important tools and equipment you need to have on-hand for most hardscape jobs.
Personal Protection
When we talk about personal protection, we’re referring to several different forms of safety gear that you should wear while you’re tackling any kind of hardscape project. These can include safety glasses, work gloves, dust masks, hearing protection and boots with steel toes. Always make sure that you have the right protective gear on-hand before starting your project in order to protect yourself from potential hazards and accidents.
These are especially important if you’ll be working with tools that create a lot of dust, like power saws or grinders. The dust may contain micro-particles that can cause irritation if inhaled, so having the right protective gear in place is essential.
A Quality Rake
Especially if you’ll be working with gravel or any other smaller particles that need to be leveled and distributed evenly in your landscape, having a quality rake on-hand is essential. A good rake should have pointed teeth that can easily break up soil or grab gravel and other particles so they can be moved around until you get the desired effect.
Shovel
Down related lines, most hardscape projects will require the use of a shovel at some point or another. Whether you need to dig up a small area for footing, move soil from one place to another, or just break up material that has been hardened by the sun, having a good quality shovel is essential.
When you’re planning out your job, you may realize that you don’t have the proper type of shovel to get the job done. In that case, you may want to invest in a spade shovel or another type of tool specifically designed for hardscape projects.
Wheelbarrow
Regardless of your project, having a wheelbarrow on-hand can make it much easier to move large amounts of soil, gravel, and other materials around with relative ease. Wheelbarrows can also be essential for transporting equipment from one area of your landscape to another, or carrying tools that need to be used in different places during the job.
Just be sure you get a wheelbarrow that’s made with solid construction and features quality wheels. This will ensure it won’t break down in the middle of your project, which could potentially create a hazard or delay the job.
Leveling Tool
Many hardscape jobs will require you to level out certain areas, or ensure that something is established on a perfectly flat surface. For these tasks, having the right tool will make all the difference in the world.
A good quality laser level should be able to help you accurately mark measurements and establish perfect angles and levels for your project. When used properly, this type of tool can also help you save a lot of time, as it eliminates the need for manual leveling with a traditional level.
Measuring Tape or Tool
There may also be a need for precision measurements on certain projects, and having a good measuring tool is essential. The most basic type of tool for this purpose would be a standard steel measuring tape, but you can also find digital models that are able to take more accurate measurements with less hassle.
Mallet or Hammer
Depending on the type of material you’ll be working with, there may also be a need for something to tap objects into place. A hammer or mallet can come in handy for tasks like this, as it allows you to precisely adjust and secure items without damaging them.
Mallets tend to be appropriate for softer materials, while hammers are better for harder surfaces. It’s important to know the difference between these tools and use them correctly in order to get the best results with your project.
Screed Board and/or Rails
For some jobs, screed boards and rails may also be necessary. These tools can help you create perfectly level surfaces with gravel or other materials that need to be spread out evenly.
Screed boards are generally longer than standard measuring tapes, so they’re able to cover much larger areas without having to move the tool around. Rails can also be used in the same way, but they don’t have any measurements on them and are usually only used when you need to precisely level a large area.
Pencil and Paper
Finally, it’s always a good idea to have pencils and paper on hand when working with hardscapes. You may find yourself needing to draw out plans or take notes at some point, so having the correct materials nearby can be a huge help.
Having all of the right tools and equipment at your disposal before you start any kind of project is essential to ensuring you stay safe and complete the job correctly. Be sure you have all of the necessary items on-hand before getting started, so that you can get your hardscape project done with minimal fuss.
For more here, or to learn about any of our hardscape products or other landscaping materials, speak to our expert staff at BioGrass Sod Farms today.