Garage / Home Foundation Excavation Services

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Digging a house or garage foundation is a systematic process that transforms a plot of land into a stable base for construction. The procedure involves precise measurement, heavy machinery, and careful depth management to ensure the home or garage remains level and dry. 

Our process is typically as follows:

1. Site Preparation & Permits

• Permits & Utilities: Before breaking ground, obtain necessary building permits. Contact local utility companies to mark underground lines (water, gas, electricity) to avoid dangerous and costly accidents.
• Land Clearing: Remove all vegetation, brush, and large rocks from the building footprint.
• Topsoil Stripping: Excavate and stockpile the nutrient-rich topsoil separately; it is usually saved to be used for final grading and landscaping once the house is finished. 

2. Layout & Marking

• Establish a Datum Point: Mark a fixed level point (such as surveyor's benchmark) as a reference for all height measurements.
• String Lines & Batter Boards: Set up timber batter boards outside the excavation area. Stretch string lines between them to represent the wall faces, ensuring corners are perfectly square (90°) using a laser level and swing ties to ensure accuracy.
• Marking Trenches: Use marking paint to outline the actual width of the trenches. For a crawl space or basement, the dig often extends 2 to 3 feet beyond the house footprint to provide working room for masons. 

3. Excavation (The Dig)

• Bulk Excavation: An excavator is used to remove dirt to the required depth.
• Depth Control: Continuously monitor the depth using a transit laser. A groundman uses a sensor on a rod to verify that the target depth is reached relative to the datum point.

4. Soil Preparation & Inspection

• Compaction: The bottom of the pits must be "dressed" level and thoroughly compacted to prevent future settlement. We recommend installing 3/4" stone under the footing to allow water to flow under the footing without disturbing the structural integrity of the load bearing soils.
• Municipal Inspection: A building inspector usually visits at this stage to approve the soil stability and trench depth before any concrete is poured.

5. Final Preparation & Concrete Pour

• Formwork & Rebar: Install wooden forms to hold the concrete and place steel reinforcement bars (rebar) according to the structural engineer's plans.
• Pour Footings/Walls: The concrete needs to cure and reach sufficient strength before it can handle the heavy pressure of the dirt being pushed back against it.
• Waterproofing & Drainage: Apply waterproof membranes to the walls and install perforated drainage pipes surrounded by gravel at the base of the footing to drain any water away from the foundation. 

6. Backfilling (The Refill) 

• Material Selection:  We use sand, gravel, or "select fill" that allows water to drain quickly to the pipes below.
• The "Lift" Method: Dirt is added in 6 to 12-inch layers called "lifts".
• Compaction: Each lift is mechanically compacted with machinery before the next layer is added. This prevents the ground from sinking later.
• Final Grading: The last layer of soil is sloped away from the house to ensure rainwater runs off instead of pooling against the foundation. 

                      Give us a call today to discuss your project needs!