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Jason Ritter

About Jason Ritter

http://ritterdirt.com

Posts by Jason Ritter:

Asphalt installed on a steep slope

Asphalt driveway on sloped property

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Nestled on a steep hillside in Bellingham’s South Hill neighborhood, the installation of an asphalt driveway on sloped property required expert planning and execution from the ground up.

Ritter Dirt & Asphalt was hired early in the build to complete site work, including land clearing, foundation preparation and utility trenching for a custom luxury home. Once the structure was complete, we returned to do the final grading and installed a durable asphalt driveway designed to handle the property’s steep slope.

The result? A smooth, long-lasting surface that offers safe, all-season access for years to come.

A message from the builder, Slusher Luxury Homes: The paving on our 40th St project was the finishing touch we needed! It looked beautiful with the driveway finished! Thank you!

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Plan your hillside asphalt driveway project

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Is now the right time to plan your hillside asphalt driveway project?  If you’re reading this in the spring or summer months, the answer is yes!

Living on a hillside property in Bellingham can offer stunning views—but it can also come with unique construction challenges. If you’re in neighborhoods like South Hill in Fairhaven, Geneva, Sudden Valley, King Mountain, or along Chuckanut Drive, you know that steep slopes, poor drainage and stormwater runoff can complicate home improvement projects, especially when it comes to installing or replacing an asphalt driveway.

At Ritter Dirt & Asphalt, we provide asphalt paving solutions and have years of experience working on steep, uneven ground. Our team knows how to grade driveways for proper stormwater runoff, prevent erosion and build durable surfaces that hold up to the Northwest’s wet weather.

Slope stability and stormwater control are two of the most critical issues to address when building on hillsides. If the slope isn’t managed correctly, water can pool or run too fast, leading to cracks, potholes and premature failure of your asphalt driveway. Ritter’s excavation and paving team takes the time to evaluate the grade, drainage and surrounding landscape so your project is built to last.

If your property is in the Lake Whatcom watershed, construction activities are seasonally restricted. The watershed construction schedule limits ground-disturbing activities like excavation and paving to June 1 through September 30. That means property owners in this environmentally sensitive area have a narrow window each year to plan and complete stormwater upgrades, land clearing, gravel driveway maintenance and asphalt paving projects.

Whether you need a brand-new asphalt driveway or are looking to replace an aging one, Ritter is equipped to handle the complexities of hillside paving. We work closely with property owners to create a plan that fits the landscape, protects your property from runoff damage and adds lasting value to your home. Don’t wait! Reach out to Ritter Dirt & Asphalt now for a free quote and get your project on the schedule. With Ritter’s experience in asphalt paving and hillside excavation, you can feel confident that your driveway will be built to perform—rain or shine.

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Choosing the right Whatcom County dirt and asphalt contractor

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Proper grading is essential for drainage, erosion control and long-term stability. Whether preparing a driveway, building site or custom horse arena, hiring a licensed excavation and grading contractor ensures the job is done correctly, protecting your investment and improving the functionality of your land in Bellingham, Blaine or the Nooksack Valley

Drainage solutions to protect your property

Effective drainage is one of the most important aspects of land grading. Using specialized excavation and grading equipment, professionals like Ritter Dirt can shape the terrain to promote controlled water runoff, prevent pooling and stop flooding around structures. Without proper grading, standing water can weaken foundations, damage landscaping and create muddy, unusable areas.

Erosion control for lasting stability

Erosion is a major concern for property owners, especially in areas prone to heavy rainfall or sloped terrain, such as Chuckanut Drive, the Lake Whatcom Watershed and Sudden Valley. A licensed Whatcom County excavation contractor can carefully sculpt the land to stabilize soil and reduce the impact of wind and water erosion. This helps preserve the landscape and lowers maintenance costs associated with soil displacement.

Stronger foundations for driveways, building sites and horse arenas

Professional grading enhances long-term property stability by creating a solid foundation and uniform surface contours. For driveway construction in Whatcom County, proper grading ensures smooth, durable surfaces that withstand heavy use and prevent ruts, dips and drainage issues.

When preparing a building site, expert site prep and land grading streamline construction by leveling the ground and addressing drainage concerns before work begins. This helps prevent future structural issues caused by poor soil compaction or water accumulation.

For horse arenas, precision grading provides safe, even footing that improves traction and stability. Proper moisture control reduces dust and helps minimize the risk of injuries for both riders and horses.

Choose an experienced Whatcom County excavation and grading contractor

Hiring a licensed excavation and dirt work contractor ensures that your property is properly graded for drainage, erosion control and long-term stability. Ritter Dirt and Asphalt provides expert site prep and grading solutions to help Whatcom County property owners maintain resilient, functional and visually appealing land.

Call 360-739-3472 or email us to discuss your excavation, grading or site preparation needs.

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The importance of professional grading for your Whatcom County property

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Proper grading is essential for drainage, erosion control and long-term stability. Whether preparing a driveway, building site or custom horse arena, hiring a licensed excavation and grading contractor ensures the job is done correctly, protecting your investment and improving the functionality of your land in Bellingham, Blaine or the Nooksack Valley

Drainage solutions to protect your property

Effective drainage is one of the most important aspects of land grading. Using specialized excavation and grading equipment, professionals like Ritter Dirt can shape the terrain to promote controlled water runoff, prevent pooling and stop flooding around structures. Without proper grading, standing water can weaken foundations, damage landscaping and create muddy, unusable areas.

Erosion control for lasting stability

Erosion is a major concern for property owners, especially in areas prone to heavy rainfall or sloped terrain, such as Chuckanut Drive, the Lake Whatcom Watershed and Sudden Valley. A licensed Whatcom County excavation contractor can carefully sculpt the land to stabilize soil and reduce the impact of wind and water erosion. This helps preserve the landscape and lowers maintenance costs associated with soil displacement.

Stronger foundations for driveways, building sites and horse arenas

Professional grading enhances long-term property stability by creating a solid foundation and uniform surface contours. For driveway construction in Whatcom County, proper grading ensures smooth, durable surfaces that withstand heavy use and prevent ruts, dips and drainage issues.

When preparing a building site, expert site prep and land grading streamline construction by leveling the ground and addressing drainage concerns before work begins. This helps prevent future structural issues caused by poor soil compaction or water accumulation.

For horse arenas, precision grading provides safe, even footing that improves traction and stability. Proper moisture control reduces dust and helps minimize the risk of injuries for both riders and horses.

Choose an experienced Whatcom County excavation and grading contractor

Hiring a licensed excavation and dirt work contractor ensures that your property is properly graded for drainage, erosion control and long-term stability. Ritter Dirt and Asphalt provides expert site prep and grading solutions to help Whatcom County property owners maintain resilient, functional and visually appealing land.

Call 360-739-3472 or email us to discuss your excavation, grading or site preparation needs.

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Gravel vs. Asphalt: Which is best for your Bellingham driveway?

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Selecting the best material for a driveway depends on factors like durability, maintenance and environmental impact. Whether for a home or business in Bellingham, understanding the benefits of gravel vs. asphalt can help property owners make an informed decision.

Durability: Strength and flexibility

Durability is a key consideration when choosing a driveway material. Asphalt provides a smooth, solid surface that can handle heavy loads and frequent traffic. When installed and maintained by a local paving professional, an asphalt driveway can last 15 to 20 years. However, extreme temperatures and moisture can lead to cracking and deterioration over time.

Gravel driveways offer flexibility and resilience, naturally shifting with the ground to prevent cracking. While they hold up well to changing weather conditions, frequent use can lead to displacement, requiring periodic regrading to maintain an even surface.

Maintenance: Upkeep for long-term performance

Maintenance requirements vary between asphalt and gravel. Asphalt driveways need regular sealing every few years to prevent cracks and water damage. While durable, asphalt may require resurfacing over time.

Gravel driveways require ongoing upkeep to prevent ruts and washouts. Adding new gravel periodically and regrading helps maintain a smooth surface. While gravel does not need sealing, weed control is necessary to prevent overgrowth.

Environmental impact: Drainage and sustainability

Environmental considerations also play a role in driveway selection. Gravel driveways allow rainwater to filter naturally into the ground, reducing runoff and minimizing the risk of water pooling or flooding, something that is important in areas such as the Lake Whatcom Watershed. Made from natural materials, gravel is an eco-friendly option.

Asphalt, while durable, is a petroleum-based product that absorbs heat and can contribute to runoff issues. Because it is impermeable, additional stormwater management may be needed.

Making the right choice for your Bellingham, Washington property

The best driveway material depends on budget, climate and usage. Gravel is cost-effective, environmentally friendly and ideal for rural properties or areas with lighter traffic. Asphalt provides a durable, smooth surface that works well for high-traffic areas and urban settings.

For expert installation and grading of gravel or asphalt driveways, contact Ritter Dirt & Asphalt at 360-739-3472. As a licensed Whatcom County excavation and site prep contractor, we deliver quality workmanship and reliable service to property owners throughout Bellingham, Blaine, the Nooksack Valley and beyond.

parking-lot

Stimpson Reserve Parking Lot

The bumpy, often muddy parking lot at Stimpson Reserve was long overdue for an upgrade. Vehicles were parking willy-nilly, and stormwater management was ineffective.

Ritter Dirt & Asphalt secured a contract with Whatcom County to transform the area. Using our fleet of equipment and experienced construction team, we managed traffic control, excavation, earthwork, land clearing, hauling materials in and out, grading, paving, striping and more.

The result? A safer, more functional parking lot with defined spaces, improved stormwater management and enhanced pedestrian safety. From worn out to wow—Stimpson Reserve has never looked better!

Ritter Dirt backyard cleanup and lawn prep

Cleanup and Lawn Prep

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Ritter Dirt & Asphalt helped this client in a time of crisis. Coyotes kept visiting her Blaine, Washington, property, which caused her to be worried about the safety of her dog. She wanted to install a new fence. But first: clean up the backyard.

Ritter’s crew used an excavator and a dump truck to remove roots and yard debris. We exported landscaping debris and imported fresh topsoil in preparation for the installation of a lawn.

The end result was a cleaner, safer backyard that both she and her furry friend will enjoy for a long time.

Backyard Redesign

Backyard Redesign

For this backyard redesign project, Ritter was hired to cut and remove a large portion of the homeowner’s lawn to reduce mowing time and increase the size of their flowerbeds.

Our landscape crew removed a lot of the old sod and disposed of it off-site. We then delivered and spread topsoil — shaping the material and adding berms to increase the visual appeal of the backyard.

Lastly, a river rock border was added to separate the lawn from the flowerbeds. The rock helped to define planning areas and really completed the landscape design.

Gravel Driveway Restoration

Gravel Driveway Restoration

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The homeowners of this property wanted a cleaner, more visually appealing driveway, as theirs had over time become muddy and full of ruts.

Ritter crews cleaned up the driveway and removed all potholes; we edged and straightened the perimeter lines. (Note the sharp edges!)

The area was then filled with crushed rock, graded and compacted.

Our customers are in love with their driveway restoration.

Sports Court Repair

Sports Court Repair

When the property owner needed help repairing two sports courts, they hired Ritter Dirt and Asphalt.

Our asphalt paving pros used saw cutting to remove the damaged surfaces, and they hauled away all the construction rubble. We then fine graded both areas with crushed rock and repaved and compacted the areas with hot mix asphalt (HMA).

After our work was complete, they project owner had the courts repainted. They look brand-new!

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