How to dig a groove under the foundation

In order to dig holes for the foundation, it will take a lot of effort and time, especially if you want to do it yourself. The use of a special technique will greatly facilitate the work.

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The foundation deepening can be of two types:

trench;
pit.

The choice between these types depends on many factors.

Trench

A trench is a long recess of a strictly defined width, in which the foundation will be installed. Where foundation strips are not required, no digging is required.

You will need either an excavator or shovels and great physical endurance. Make sure that the excavated soil does not obstruct the passage or passage to the construction site for equipment or workers.

If you have sandy soil under your feet, then you will not be able to dig trenches, since its walls will not keep their shape, and the sand will constantly crumble to the bottom of the trench. In this case, you will have to dig a pit.

Pit

A pit is a rectangular pit for the same purposes as a trench. A pit, in comparison with a trench, requires large earthworks.

Heavy equipment is simply irreplaceable if choices or circumstances force you to make a foundation pit under the house. It is best to use an excavator with a large bucket for this; in extreme cases, you can use a loader.

In the case of a loader, be prepared for the fact that it will do only the main work, and you will have to correct it manually or using an excavator, because it will need to make an exit into the pit.

If the sand in the area is loose (dry), then you need to warn the loader driver in advance, as the loader can get stuck on such soil. Also, before ordering equipment, it is worth thinking about the entrance ways and the places where the excavated soil will be located.

After applying the technique, it will inevitably arise the need to trim the walls and level the floor of the recess. Therefore, in the case of a foundation pit, it will first be necessary to level its bottom by backfilling a layer of a mixture of sand and gravel.

It is best to take two types of crushed stone - small and large. By mixing these two types, it turns out that small gravel will fill the void between the large one. After filling a layer of gravel and sand, it must be leveled and tamped using an electric or manual tamping. Alignment must be done very carefully using a level or building level.

After the foundation pit or trench is ready, you can start building the foundation.

Before starting work on digging a hole for the foundation, it is best to ask all relatives, friends and acquaintances about their availability of construction equipment that would suit you when performing these works. This can save you a lot of time, effort and money.