Walnut Grove Excavating

Walnut Grove Excavating Customer focused, Integrity Driven Walnut Grove Excavating, LLC owned and operated by Travis Gemmell. My number one goal will be your complete satisfaction.

I am focused on all sizes of residential projects and small commercial projects. Walnut Grove Excavating, LLC is the culmination of a life long dream of owning my own business. It all began on the ground floor of a major corporation and through hard work and determination I was able to climb my way up the corporate ladder. However the higher I climbed the less I was able to do what I really love,

which is work with customers each and every day! . With the loving support of my family we bought an old farmhouse in the Lowell/Saranac area with the intentions of turning it into a hobby farm and making it our forever home. As it came time to clear a place for the barn, we struggled to find an excavating company that was willing to take on smaller projects or to fit us into their schedule. I knew from numerous conversations, I was not alone, that there are many other people in my position that are having issues finding someone that can and will do the "smaller jobs" This is where my dream and business plan came to fruition. With my past experience of working on excavating projects for neighbors, friends and my family, I decided to start Walnut Grove Excavating in order to help people get their excavating projects completed on time as defined.

We’re making great progress on this new large addition project.This week, we’re backfilling the garage and porch areas w...
06/18/2026

We’re making great progress on this new large addition project.

This week, we’re backfilling the garage and porch areas with a significant amount of sand to ensure proper support and compaction. We’re also adding nearly 7 inches of sand throughout the driveway area to establish the correct grade and create a solid foundation for the next phase of construction.

In addition to the grading work, we’ve excavated the drywell that will help manage stormwater from the backyard. Proper drainage planning is a critical part of every project, helping protect the property from standing water and directing runoff where it belongs.

A lot of material is moving on this one, but taking the time to get the grade, compaction, and drainage right now will pay off for years to come.

Nothing beats getting the trucks cleaned up after a long week of hard work.From hauling materials and moving equipment t...
06/18/2026

Nothing beats getting the trucks cleaned up after a long week of hard work.

From hauling materials and moving equipment to tackling septic installs, drainage projects, and excavation work, these trucks put in the hours right alongside our crew. Taking care of the equipment is just as important as taking care of our customers, and a good wash is the first step in getting ready for another busy week ahead.

A clean truck may not stay clean for long in this industry, but it’s always nice to start the week looking sharp and ready to roll.

Last month’s heavy rain turned into a stressful situation when water collected near this home’s basement window and almo...
06/18/2026

Last month’s heavy rain turned into a stressful situation when water collected near this home’s basement window and almost made its way inside.

To prevent future issues, our crew installed a catch basin and regraded the yard to intercept and redirect water before it can reach the house. Proper grading and drainage are some of the most effective ways to protect a home from water intrusion, foundation issues, and costly repairs.

Sometimes the solution isn’t complicated—it just takes understanding where the water is coming from and giving it a better path to travel.

Another homeowner can rest a little easier knowing their property is better protected for the next big storm.

Final stage of this pole barn build! The driveway is being replaced, so we took the opportunity to address potential wat...
06/18/2026

Final stage of this pole barn build! The driveway is being replaced, so we took the opportunity to address potential water issues before they become a problem.

We installed footing drains and tied in several downspouts to a catch basin, then ran dual-wall pipe beneath the driveway to safely carry water away from the area. Proper drainage is one of the most important parts of protecting your investment and preventing washouts, erosion, and water damage down the road.

A big thank you to Custom Hydrovac⁠ for helping us safely locate the gas and primary power lines before excavation began. Taking the time to do it right ensures a safer project and helps avoid costly utility damage.

Another project completed with long-term performance in mind.

The team is putting in the work on this full septic system replacement — and this one has definitely been a challenge.Th...
06/16/2026

The team is putting in the work on this full septic system replacement — and this one has definitely been a challenge.
The project started with tree removal before we could even begin excavation. Our original plan was to remove and haul the old drainfield to the landfill to make room for the replacement system. Once we started digging, we found the good and bad news: the old system had completely failed due to heavy tree root intrusion, not biomat buildup. The drainfield was packed full of roots and no longer functioning properly.
The upside? Since the old system was already compromised by roots, we were able to dig it out and begin installing the new system right away.
So far, we’ve successfully installed (2) 1060-gallon tanks and completed the first 1/3 of the new drainfield. A lot of work still ahead, but the team is making great progress.
This is why proper planning, troubleshooting, and experience matter on complicated septic replacements.

You have to love this kind of service. Ethan to the rescue to help get the track back on.
06/12/2026

You have to love this kind of service. Ethan to the rescue to help get the track back on.

Another new home getting the final touches!We started this project by installing the SDR-35 pipe with cleanouts, regradi...
06/12/2026

Another new home getting the final touches!

We started this project by installing the SDR-35 pipe with cleanouts, regrading the property for proper drainage, and adding/spreading topsoil to get everything ready for the next stage.

It’s the details at the end of a project that make all the difference — making sure everything drains correctly and the property is graded the way it should be. Another one coming together the right way!

Backfilling the small and large additions on this home in Ada We’re getting both additions backfilled and ready for the ...
06/11/2026

Backfilling the small and large additions on this home in Ada

We’re getting both additions backfilled and ready for the next phase. Once the floors are poured, there will be a lot more dirt work happening next week to get everything graded and cleaned up.

There are a lot of details that go into making sure a backfill is done correctly — proper compaction, drainage, and taking the time to do it right so there are no issues down the road.

The rain definitely made things more challenging, but the crew pushed through and kept things moving. Proud of the hard work these guys put in day in and day out.

Pool demolition complete ✅After getting estimates to bring the pool back up and running, the homeowner decided it made m...
06/11/2026

Pool demolition complete ✅

After getting estimates to bring the pool back up and running, the homeowner decided it made more sense to remove it and reclaim the backyard space.

We love transforming spaces like this and making backyards usable again. Soon, this area will be a clean, safe yard where the kids can run around, play, and the family can actually enjoy the space again.

If you’ve got an old pool, unusable backyard, or a project that just feels overwhelming — reach out. We’d be happy to help bring it back to life.

06/06/2026

Getting it done. Pouring around the pool this week.

Address

8533 Sterling Heights Drive
Saranac, MI
48881

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 5pm
Tuesday 7am - 5pm
Wednesday 7am - 5pm
Thursday 7am - 5pm
Friday 7am - 5pm

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