Culvert Installation & Replacement in Eau Claire, WI
Properly sized and installed culverts to manage water flow
Water crossing a driveway or access road needs a controlled path underneath it. When culverts are missing, undersized, or improperly installed, runoff cuts into the surface, softens the base, and leads to repeated washouts and repairs.
Serving West Central Wisconsin, 715 Excavating provides culvert installation and replacement services in Eau Claire, WI, and surrounding communities. We install culverts that move water beneath access routes instead of through them, protecting driveways, road bases, and surrounding ground from erosion and failure.
Why Property Owners Choose 715 Excavating
Drainage-First Planning
Water movement is evaluated before the pipe is placed, so runoff is controlled instead of redirected into new problem areas.
Correct Elevation Control
Culverts are set to proper depth and slope to prevent pooling, overtopping, or restricted flow during heavy rain.
Targeted Installation
Only the necessary sections are excavated and rebuilt, minimizing disturbance to surrounding areas.
Drive-Ready Results
Once complete, crossings are compacted, stable, and ready for regular traffic while protecting the driveway from washouts.
Why Culverts Fail or Become a Problem
Most culvert issues develop over time. Changes in water volume, soil movement, and traffic stress expose weaknesses in older or poorly installed crossings. Culverts that are too small, set at the wrong elevation, or installed without proper bedding restrict flow and force water onto the driveway surface.
As erosion builds around the pipe, the driveway loses support. Gravel repairs alone may temporarily improve appearance, but the underlying water issue continues to cause damage.
What Culvert Installation & Replacement Involves
Culvert Sizing and Alignment
Effective drainage begins with selecting the correct pipe size and placement. We evaluate how water moves across the site and position culverts to match natural flow patterns rather than forcing water into new problem areas.
This includes:
- Reviewing runoff volume and direction
- Selecting pipe diameter based on flow demand
- Aligning the culvert with existing ditches or swales
- Setting elevations to prevent overtopping
Proper sizing allows water to pass freely without backing up or eroding the driveway.
Trenching, Bedding, and Pipe Placement
A culvert depends on what supports it. Without proper bedding and compaction, even a new pipe can shift or collapse under traffic.
This includes:
- Excavating the trench to the proper depth and slope
- Installing stable bedding material
- Setting pipe to maintain a consistent grade
- Backfilling and compacting to prevent settlement
Correct installation protects both the pipe and the driveway structure above it.
Surface Restoration Above the Culvert
Once the pipe is in place, the driveway must be rebuilt correctly over it. We restore base material and surface grades so traffic loads are supported and water sheds properly.
When a Culvert Is Needed, and When It Isn’t
Not every drainage issue requires a culvert. In some cases, surface grading alone can redirect water. In others, a culvert is the only way to prevent runoff from crossing the driveway.
Water Flow Behavior
If water consistently crosses the driveway during rain or snowmelt, a culvert is often needed to move the flow underneath instead of across the surface.
Existing Culvert Condition
Collapsed, rusted, buried, or undersized culverts restrict flow and frequently cause washouts. Replacement restores proper drainage rather than repeated surface repairs.
Driveway Length and Slope
Long or sloped driveways accelerate runoff and erosion. Culverts help interrupt flow before damage spreads downhill.
Surrounding Terrain
Driveways connected to roadside ditches, fields, or natural swales often require properly aligned crossings to maintain drainage without undermining the drive.
This evaluation allows us to explain whether a culvert is required, undersized, or unnecessary before work begins.
Our Approach to Underground Infrastructure
Utility Locates and Planning
Every project begins with utility locates and site review, so excavation happens safely and accurately around existing lines and structures.
Controlled Trenching
We excavate to correct depth and alignment, maintain trench stability, and prepare proper bedding for pipe and conduit placement.
Drainage Shaping and Flow Control
Swales, slopes, and discharge points are shaped to direct water away from structures, pads, and traffic surfaces.
Backfill and Compaction
After installation, trenches are backfilled and compacted to protect utilities and prevent future settling or surface failure.
Our Culvert Installation Process
Site Evaluation
We review drainage paths, slopes, driveway structure, and water flow behavior.
Culvert Installation or Replacement
The trench is excavated, the culvert is installed with proper bedding, and backfill is compacted to support traffic.
Surface Restoration
Driveway grades and surfaces are rebuilt to ensure water flows correctly and access is restored.
Service Areas
715 Excavating proudly serves the following communities in Western Wisconsin:
- Eau Claire, WI
- Chippewa Falls, WI
- Menomonie, WI
- New Auburn, WI
- Osseo, WI
- Bloomer, WI
- Cadott, WI
- Stanley, WI
- Thorp, WI
- Withee, WI
- Greenwood, WI
- Fall Creek, WI
- Augusta, WI
- Mondovi, WI
- Eleva, WI
- Colfax, WI
- Cornell, WI
- Elk Mound, WI
- Chetek, WI
- Holcombe, WI
What Our Customers Are Saying
Ready to Stop Fighting Water?
Recurring washouts and soft spots usually point to unmanaged drainage. A properly installed culvert protects the driveway structure and reduces long-term maintenance.
If water continues to cross your driveway or access road, we’re ready to review the site and explain your options.
Contact 715 Excavating to schedule your drainage evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all driveways need a culvert?
No. Culverts are only needed where water naturally flows across the driveway. During the site review, we determine whether grading alone can address the issue or if a culvert is required.
Can a culvert fix recurring driveway washouts?
Yes, when washouts are caused by water crossing the driveway. A properly sized and installed culvert addresses the root cause rather than repeated surface damage.
Do you replace old or collapsed culverts?
Yes. We remove failed or undersized culverts and install new crossings that restore proper drainage and structural support.
Will the driveway be usable after installation?
In most cases, yes. Once backfilling and compaction are complete, the driveway is ready for normal traffic.
Does culvert work affect driveway grading?
Sometimes minor adjustments are needed near the culvert so water can enter and exit correctly. If broader driveway regrading is recommended, we explain those options separately so you can decide what makes sense.