Machine Excavation

Japanese Knotweed Excavation

On large construction sites when work and other development projects are in progress, the presence of Japanese knotweed can cause costly delays to the building process. However, where possible, Japanese knotweed and contaminated soil can be excavated and relocated to a quarantined area of the site for treatment later, allowing work to progress as normal on the rest of the site. After being dug out, the Japanese knotweed infestation can be treated with a herbicide application at a later, more convenient time. This means that the presence of Japanese knotweed and the excavation process does not need to slow you down.

Our main aim is to make the Japanese knotweed excavation process as seamless and hassle free as possible, causing minimal disturbance. Our excavation contractors are able to gauge the best method for tackling the problem in your specific case, creating a tailor-made plan.

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What Are the Excavation Options for Japanese Knotweed?

When When the invasive species of Japanese knotweed is found on site, excavation is required to make sure a site is free of knotweed, and the process is backed up by a PCA approved guarantee.

The appropriate Japanese knotweed excavation method is determined by a number of factors, such as access, timescales, and the environment. A member of our team will be able to present you with the most suitable remedy for managing Japanese knotweed after visiting the site.

As a renowned, leading contractor in dealing with Japanese knotweed, you can trust our team to provide a bespoke solution

Japanese Knotweed Excavation Methods

There are multiple Japanese knotweed excavation methods, all of which will depend on the site and land on which it is situated. These methods include:

  • Dig and Dump
  • Knotweed Cap
  • On-Site Burial
  • Dig and Sift
  • On-site Relocation
Excavation Of Soil
Lots Of Soil

Method 1: Japanese Knotweed Dig and Dump

Using the Japanese knotweed dig and dump method, the site is excavated, and the contaminated waste sent to landfill. As Japanese knotweed is considered ‘controlled waste’ it must have a clear disposal audit and be handled by a licensed waste carrier and disposal location.

This is the last resort and the most expensive Japanese knotweed excavation service but sometimes it is a necessity. A controlled Japanese knotweed dig and dump may be the best excavation option for those sites where time is a constraint or where there is no area on site to manage the waste. All controlled waste will be removed and taken to a licensed landfill site.

During a controlled knotweed dig and dump, our specialists are capable of accurately identifying the extent of the infestation and determining the scale of the underground knotweed rhizome system to be dug out. This will reduce the amount of ‘clean’ soil lost to the dig out of contaminated knotweed materials.

Method 2: Japanese Knotweed Dig and Cap

When creating a new housing development site or larger site, often the ground must be excavated to a point anyway. Therefore, when it comes to identifying knotweed rhizomes, you can remove some of it through dig up and disposal of excess soil, and other parts can be ‘capped’ with a root membrane barrier.

A root barrier caps, or limits, the growth of the rhizome network and prevents it spreading any further outside the initial area.

Method 3:Japanese Knotweed On-site Dig and Burial

Any removed Japanese knotweed and contaminated soil can also be buried on site inside a heat-sealed plastic membrane. This is ideal where no construction work has begun, and the site can be fully excavated to dig a hole deep enough to contain the Japanese knotweed.

The burial site must not be disturbed after excavation and the re-burial location should be clearly marked on all site plans. The Environment Agency will need to be advised that the burial of Japanese Knotweed is taking place and all plans must be approved by them. It is very important that every trace of Japanese Knotweed is removed as a piece the size of your fingernail has the potential to regrow.

Method 4: Japanese Knotweed Dig and Sift Through

Where a site is large enough to host the burial of sifted and treated soil, this can be a suitable solution for those wanting a detailed approach that reduces the volume of soil that gets removed.

The soil is filtered, and any rhizome fragments are removed. While this is not a 100% guarantee, it can be used to reduce the volume of knotweed regeneration that happens within the excavated soils. Digging and sifting techniques can be used, in this regard, to filter contaminated knotweed materials, ‘cleaning’ excavated soils from the waste.  

A large enough site is needed to ensure the removed soil can be monitored and any knotweed growth stopped.

Excavation of Japanese Knotweed on construction site
Bamboo Roots

Method 5: Japanese Knotweed Dig and On-site Relocation

If the site is large, or a development is phased, then on-site relocation can be an effective way to manage Japanese knotweed. The excavated knotweed system is transported to a suitable space on site and then a longer-term herbicide treatment is applied.

For on-site relocation, you can apply for Land Remediation Tax Relief (LRTR), and Japanese Knotweed Specialists can help you to claim for this.

Land Remediation Tax Relief

In certain scenarios relating to decontaminating commercial land projects, such as disposal of knotweed on-site, there is a tax relief programme for support.

This is known as the Land Remediation Tax Relief and it is only eligible for certain knotweed excavation projects.  

Land Remediation Tax Relief offers a deduction of 150% tax relief for funding remediation costs against qualifying decontamination projects.

Japanese Knotweed Excavation Timescale

As the excavation of Japanese knotweed depends on a variety of factors, such as access or the scale of the infestation, Japanese knotweed excavation cannot always be pinpointed to a specific timescale. However, as an approximation, it can generally take between [CONTENT]. But, while the excavation of Japanese knotweed may take time, the damage a Japanese knotweed infestation can cause, from property damage to delays to project timescales, is greater.

Don’t delayget in touch with Japanese Knotweed Specialists today.  

Excavation of Japanese Knotweed on construction site

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To find out more about Japanese Knotweed excavation or our Root Barriers speak to one of our team today on free phone 0800 122 3326 or send us a message.

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