It’s a big job, but can be done with determination and a bit of arm strength.
We’ll show you how.
Digging is hard work, even if you’ve loosened up the soil with a rototiller.
From left to right: Hand tamper; garden tiller; mattock; shovel; power auger; garden rake; crowbar; power tamper; lawn edger.
The procedures illustrated below assume that your project requires forms and the working room to install them.
If your structure doesn’t need forms, you won’t need the trench.
Because the weight of aconcrete slabis distributed over many square feet, it usually doesn’t need footings.
From left to right: Hand tamper; garden tiller; mattock; shovel; power auger; garden rake; crowbar; power tamper; lawn edger.
Be sure to check your local codes before you pour the concrete.
Lift off the hose and you’ll have an easy-to-follow curved line.
Drive 2-foot stakes at the intersections.
Remove the lines but leave the batter boards.
Ifexcavating for a patio, the lines will be level with the patio line on the house.
Put it about 1 to 3 inches below thethresholdto keep snow and rain out of the house.
The line marks the finished surface of the patio.
Use it to set the excavation depth for the entire site.
Step 4: Excavate Interior
Remove the lines but not the stakes.
Excavate the interior, removing the soil to the depth of the perimeter trench.
What if You’re Excavating a Wall Footing?
Drive layout stakes (or batter boards) beyond the temporary stakes.
Then tie mason’s lines and square the corners with a 3-4-5 triangle.
Drop a plumb bob at the intersection of the lines and redrive the temporary stakes under the plumb bob.
Tie mason’s lines between the stakes, and paint the ground along the lines.
Bonus: Know Your Excavating Tools
Most masonry projects require digging and earthwork.
The two-person version in the photo will bore through soil and small roots easily.
you could use a hand auger or posthole digger if you have just a few holes to dig.
You’ll need a tamper whenever you excavate or fill an area.
Sand and gravel base material for concrete and stone surfaces should be tamped too.
In footings and holes, you could tamp with the end of a 2x4.
From left to right: Hand tamper; garden tiller; mattock; shovel; power auger; garden rake; crowbar; power tamper; lawn edger.
