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Home > Forums > Structural Engineers > Activities > Structural engineering other technical topics Forum

digging out crawl space under existing house(3)

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mark1fan (Automotive) (OP)

16 Mar 05 23:00

Looking for some equipment ideas for digging out the crawl space under a house. Have 18" clearance need to obtain a 4' clearance. Base is mostly red clay. Any ideas would be helpful.

Thanks
mark1fan

redhead (Structural)

17 Mar 05 8:43

It's usually done with a pick and shovel and much hard labour.

DeSignO (Structural)

17 Mar 05 10:06

Agreed, no magic solution to this. Man, I don't envy the guys that take that on. How about burying some dog treats in crawl space and turning a few dogs loose under there. Maybe they would dig a few holes for you. :0.

StephenA (Civil/Environmental)

17 Mar 05 10:42

A conveyor could help the transport, but otherwise manpower. Water jetting back down a slope may help but would very messy.

A spade tool on a pneumatic or electric paving breaker (Kango hammmer) could break up the clay as you do not have much room to swing a pick.

plasgears (Mechanical)

18 Mar 05 11:50

In my neighborhood they cut thru the front wall and proceed with a small bucket loader. This is more suitable for a higher ceiling like 7-8 feet. This was commonly applied to tri-levels with crawl space converting to basement.

PEinc (Geotechnical)

18 Mar 05 11:59

If you dig out the crawl space to 4' deep, will you be undermining the existing foundations? Will the existing foundation wall be deep enough for the increased crawl space depth? Will you need to underpin the house prior to starting this excavation?

dicksewerrat (Civil/Environmental)

18 Mar 05 19:55

Vacuum (sp) excavate it. Water a nd vac truck. stir it up with water jet and suck it out. May have to hire it done. Why do you need 4' of clearance?

mark1fan (Automotive) (OP)

24 Mar 05 21:54

to repair waterlines And gas lines and insulate the floor

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