| Author |
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
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| The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I
need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work.
Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make this
easier?
I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about the
digging part?
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| Joseph Meehan 2008-04-02, 9:26 am |
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"Bill" <billnomailnospamx@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:65h90tF2cjorpU1@mid.individual.net...
> The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I
> need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work.
>
> Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make
> this easier?
>
> I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about
> the digging part?
>
>
My uncle hired the neighborhood boys to do it during the depression. I
eventually bought the house and had a basement because of their work. I
also had a lot of neighbors who remembered all the good my uncle had done as
they or their boyfriends had done much of that work and that is how they
came up with a dollar or two during the depression for a date. My uncle had
a few dollars as he was retired navy.
The way the economy is going, we may be back to that soon.
--
Joseph Meehan
Dia 's Muire duit
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| RicodJour 2008-04-02, 9:26 am |
| On Apr 2, 7:58 am, "Joseph Meehan" <sligoNoSPAM...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> "Bill" <billnomailnosp...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> news:65h90tF2cjorpU1@mid.individual.net...
>
>
>
>
> My uncle hired the neighborhood boys to do it during the depression. I
> eventually bought the house and had a basement because of their work. I
> also had a lot of neighbors who remembered all the good my uncle had done as
> they or their boyfriends had done much of that work and that is how they
> came up with a dollar or two during the depression for a date. My uncle had
> a few dollars as he was retired navy.
>
> The way the economy is going, we may be back to that soon.
You're going to hire neighborhood boys and put in a sub-basement...?
I think you might be sinking money in that house. ;)
To the OP: there's not a lot you can get in to a foot high space to
help out. You don't mention how much work you need to do and how deep
you are planning on going. In similar situations where people are
digging out a basement they'll open up a foundation wall and excavate
a ramp so they can get a Bobcat in.
R
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| I'm digging it out about 2 ft. deep and currently have an opening about 3
ft. by 3 ft. (for digging out).
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| Jim Elbrecht 2008-04-02, 9:26 am |
| "Bill" <billnomailnospamx@yahoo.com> wrote:
>The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I
>need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work.
>
>Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make this
>easier?
>
>I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about the
>digging part?
The only power tool I've used on the enclosed space is a Bosch hammer
with a spade bit to break up the clay. [had a wall open one summer
and was able to scoop a lot with a backhoe- and shovel the hoe full
from under the house for some more]
I've been plugging away at mine for years- working just in the winter,
a couple winters off for back & heart problems. But the floor in
the first 10x20 space [pavers] should go in late this spring.
I will probably set up a conveyor for the second section. [lowering
old floor by 2feet] - but this part has been all bucket work. I
used to do 5 wheelbarrow loads a day- Now I do 3 every other day.
Beats paying for a gym membership.
Jim
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| willshak 2008-04-02, 9:26 am |
| on 4/2/2008 8:15 AM Bill said the following:
> I'm digging it out about 2 ft. deep and currently have an opening about 3
> ft. by 3 ft. (for digging out).
>
>
>
What work are you going to do in there? With only 3 feet of headroom
there's no standing and barely enough room for sitting.
--
Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
To email, remove the double zeroes after @
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| BillGill 2008-04-02, 9:26 am |
| Bill wrote:
> The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I
> need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work.
>
> Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make this
> easier?
>
> I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about the
> digging part?
>
>
A few years ago on HomeTime on PBS they did that. They did it by lying on
their stomachs and shoveling it into a tub that was pulled out with a
rope. The tub was a flat oblong with sloping ends, kind of like a sled.
I think it might have been a mortar tub.
But basically I think you are talking about a lot of work. Good luck.
Bill Gill
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| hallerb@aol.com 2008-04-02, 9:26 am |
| On Apr 2, 8:06=EF=BF=BDam, BillGill <billne...@cox.net> wrote:
> Bill wrote:
I[color=darkred]
>
this[color=darkred]
>
the[color=darkred]
>
> A few years ago on HomeTime on PBS they did that. =EF=BF=BDThey did it by =
lying on
> their stomachs and shoveling it into a tub that was pulled out with a
> rope. =EF=BF=BDThe tub was a flat oblong with sloping ends, kind of like a=
sled.
> I think it might have been a mortar tub.
>
> But basically I think you are talking about a lot of work. =EF=BF=BDGood l=
uck.
>
> Bill Gill
easier to jack up the home and dig out a proper basement.... with the
proper ,imi excavators etc........
dont forget you will need new foundation supports..........
footers etc
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| hallerb@aol.com 2008-04-02, 9:26 am |
|
what does the OP plan on doing down there? probably easier to lift the
floor........
digging out may not be the most cost effective approach
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| jloomis 2008-04-02, 9:26 am |
| Hire some willing young diggers..........
or do it yourself.....
Using a homeade built box.......4 inch high walls and plywood bottom with
eye hook and rope.
One works inside and one pulls box out and empties.....
cut shovel handle to 12 inches........
small pick
dust mask
coveralls.
good lighting helps
knee pads
gloves.......
"Bill" <billnomailnospamx@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:65h90tF2cjorpU1@mid.individual.net...
> The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I
> need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work.
>
> Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make
> this easier?
>
> I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about
> the digging part?
>
>
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| Dioclese 2008-04-02, 1:25 pm |
| "Bill" <billnomailnospamx@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:65h90tF2cjorpU1@mid.individual.net...
> The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I
> need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work.
>
> Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make
> this easier?
>
> I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about
> the digging part?
>
>
Giganews Berlin area poster,
The tools needed, by hand and power, depend on the type of ground you're
intending to dig.
--
Dave
How about a tax to support any military conflict/police action over 3 months
old?
An actual war, we can do what's been done in the past.
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| ransley 2008-04-02, 1:25 pm |
| On Apr 2, 6:29=A0am, "Bill" <billnomailnosp...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I=
> need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work.
>
> Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make th=
is
> easier?
>
> I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about th=
e
> digging part?
If its hard pack dirt rent a demolition hammer with a spade bit to get
everything loose fast.
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| Pete C. 2008-04-02, 1:25 pm |
|
Bill wrote:
>
> The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I
> need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work.
>
> Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make this
> easier?
>
> I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about the
> digging part?
Depends on how much you want to spend on rental vs. how much back
breaking work you want to do, as well as how much rock there is in the
mix. You can rent a towable vacuum excavator from places like United
Rentals that will do the job in a day if you don't have big rocks to
deal with. These units will suck up ~500 gal worth of dirt at a time
between dumps.
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| Jim Elbrecht 2008-04-02, 1:25 pm |
| "hallerb@aol.com" <hallerb@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
>what does the OP plan on doing down there? probably easier to lift the
>floor........
>
>digging out may not be the most cost effective approach
It is absolutely the most *cost* effective. Removal costs are nil.
Whether it makes sense in the long run is entirely up to the digger
(and those effected.]
My basement excavation- like my summetime exterior landscaping by
shovel- is a combination of hobby/exercise/home improvement. The
digging is free. The footers and piers cast little. It is still
cheaper than drinking beer & buying a health club membership.
Jim
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| RicodJour 2008-04-02, 1:25 pm |
| On Apr 2, 11:10 am, Jim Elbrecht <elbre...@email.com> wrote:
> "hall...@aol.com" <hall...@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> It is absolutely the most *cost* effective. Removal costs are nil.
> Whether it makes sense in the long run is entirely up to the digger
> (and those effected.]
>
> My basement excavation- like my summetime exterior landscaping by
> shovel- is a combination of hobby/exercise/home improvement. The
> digging is free. The footers and piers cast little. It is still
> cheaper than drinking beer & buying a health club membership.
You must drink cheap beer. The last three words I don't
recognize. ;)
R
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| nicksanspam@ece.villanova.edu 2008-04-02, 1:25 pm |
| Bill <billnomailnospamx@yahoo.com> wrote:
>The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I
>need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work.
>
>Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make this
>easier?
A friend of mine turned his crawlspace into a basement using dynamite...
Nick
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| Wilson 2008-04-02, 1:25 pm |
| sometime in the recent past nicksanspam@ece.villanova.edu posted this:
> Bill <billnomailnospamx@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> A friend of mine turned his crawlspace into a basement using dynamite...
>
> Nick
>
Yeah, basement with a sky view...
--
Wilson N45 W67
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| tbasc@bellsouth.net 2008-04-02, 1:25 pm |
| On Apr 2, 7:29=A0am, "Bill" <billnomailnosp...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I=
> need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work.
>
> Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make th=
is
> easier?
>
> I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about th=
e
> digging part?
check the depth of your footings.
you don't want to undermine them.
T
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| S. Barker 2008-04-02, 5:25 pm |
| Crawl space work a lot of times involves laying on your back or side. It's
not always easy.
s
"willshak" <willshak@00hvc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:LbadnY_526AzGW7anZ2dnUVZ_srinZ2d@supernews.com...
>
> What work are you going to do in there? With only 3 feet of headroom
> there's no standing and barely enough room for sitting.
>
> --
>
> Bill
> In Hamptonburgh, NY
> To email, remove the double zeroes after @
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| Ivan Vegvary 2008-04-03, 3:25 am |
|
"Bill" <billnomailnospamx@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:65h90tF2cjorpU1@mid.individual.net...
> The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I
> need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work.
>
> Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make
> this easier?
>
> I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about
> the digging part?
>
>
Bill, I am working on my crawl space. Going for 42" depth so I can move
around and fix plumbing, insulation, HVAC ducts etc.
I do have a Bosch demo hammer but have not had to use it much. I dug a deep
ramp with my Kubota alongside the foundation. I opened up the foundation,
just like you had. Got some "flexible" conveyors on Craigslist. These
expand from 7 feet long to 35 feet and can snake around obstacles. Bought
eight 27 gallon plastic totes.
Starting out was difficult for the first few feet. Now I simply sit on a
stool, use a full length spade and one foot to dig horizontally into the
bank, fill the 8 totes and send them out on the conveyor. My biggest
problem, due to age, is getting the totes out from under the house and not
the digging. Of course the conveyor takes care of all that. I simply give
the string of 8 totes a push and they fly out from under and even empty
themselves. After each group of 8 totes I do have to get out from under (I
can walk bent over in 42" space) and collect the empty totes. After about
10 round trips I remove all the excess dumpings with my Kubota and lose it
on my 4± acres.
While my dirt (bottom 2 feet) is quite stiff, I stopped using the Bosch
hammer. Taking a horizontal slice against a vertical bank (the slice is
only about 2 inches deep) while sitting down, is very easy. You would be
surprised how much force you can exert with a sharp spade, push of the foot
and a little wiggling.
Write me if you need any more info.
And yes, as many of the replies stated, I have quit going to the gym.
Ivan Vegvary
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| Jim Elbrecht 2008-04-03, 9:25 am |
| "Ivan Vegvary" <ivan@reelart.us> wrote:
-snip-
>eight 27 gallon plastic totes.
-snip-
> My biggest
>problem, due to age, is getting the totes out from under the house and not
>the digging.
What? You can't throw 27 gallons of dirt around? <BG> I hope you
meant 27 quarts- or I'm feeling even whimpier than when I started
going for 3 gallons instead of 5. [though I'm carrying mine up a
flight of stairs- of course that's 3 gallons in each hand.<g>]
-snip-
> After about
>10 round trips I remove all the excess dumpings with my Kubota and lose it
>on my 4± acres.
Those little machines are handy. I had my brother-in-law's Kubota for
a few weeks a couple years ago. Sure speeds up the process.
>While my dirt (bottom 2 feet) is quite stiff, I stopped using the Bosch
>hammer. Taking a horizontal slice against a vertical bank (the slice is
>only about 2 inches deep) while sitting down, is very easy. You would be
>surprised how much force you can exert with a sharp spade, push of the foot
>and a little wiggling.
*Sharp* spade is a good point. I've got a great little short handled
landscaping spade that is serrated, even. Though it doesn't help
much in my clay. You can peel about 1/4 inch off- but any more and it
is spade bit time. [till I get to the wet spots- but that's a whole
nother headache.]
Jim
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| Pete C. 2008-04-03, 9:25 am |
|
Jim Elbrecht wrote:
>
> "Ivan Vegvary" <ivan@reelart.us> wrote:
>
> -snip-
>
> -snip-
>
> What? You can't throw 27 gallons of dirt around? <BG> I hope you
> meant 27 quarts- or I'm feeling even whimpier than when I started
> going for 3 gallons instead of 5. [though I'm carrying mine up a
> flight of stairs- of course that's 3 gallons in each hand.<g>]
>
> -snip-
>
> Those little machines are handy. I had my brother-in-law's Kubota for
> a few weeks a couple years ago. Sure speeds up the process.
>
>
> *Sharp* spade is a good point. I've got a great little short handled
> landscaping spade that is serrated, even. Though it doesn't help
> much in my clay. You can peel about 1/4 inch off- but any more and it
> is spade bit time. [till I get to the wet spots- but that's a whole
> nother headache.]
>
> Jim
The vacuum excavators I noted in my other post would make the process
much faster and easier. Just put the suction hose where you want to dig
and start jabbing that area with the air lance. After sucking out some
500 gal of dirt, take a break to dump the vacuum container and then go
at it again.
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| "willshak" wrote in message
>
> What work are you going to do in there? With only 3 feet of headroom
> there's no standing and barely enough room for sitting.
>
For now I am doing some plumbing (moving bathtub and toilet, insulating hot
water lines), adding support under a heavy woodstove, and adding a beam and
support to fix a sloping floor.
For the future it would be nice to be able to get under there to run wires
or whatever.
The vacuum idea sounds great! Even a shop vac with two people working would
probably be an easier way to get the dirt out. Also dust is created when
disturbing the old top layer of dirt, so the vac could also remove any dust
clouds. Thanks for the idea.
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| Pete C. 2008-04-03, 1:26 pm |
|
Bill wrote:
>
> "willshak" wrote in message
>
> For now I am doing some plumbing (moving bathtub and toilet, insulating hot
> water lines), adding support under a heavy woodstove, and adding a beam and
> support to fix a sloping floor.
>
> For the future it would be nice to be able to get under there to run wires
> or whatever.
>
> The vacuum idea sounds great! Even a shop vac with two people working would
> probably be an easier way to get the dirt out. Also dust is created when
> disturbing the old top layer of dirt, so the vac could also remove any dust
> clouds. Thanks for the idea.
The rental vacuum excavator units I mentioned are a far cry from a shop
vac. The units listed in the United Rentals catalog are all 25HP, are
trailer mounted and weigh around 5,000#. The collection vessels are ~500
gal and tilt for dumping the contents. A weekend rental of one of these
units and your project will be done.
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