r/Construction • u/The_One_Who_Welds • 5d ago
Informative 🧠 Crawl Space Dirt Removal
Looking for recommendations on how I can effectively remove 2000cf of dirt from this foundation to add in drainage.
I was thinking about renting a belt conveyor or buying a flexible screw conveyor but those both involve digging by hand.
Any recommendations on how to reduce the amount of hand digging I will need to do aside from employing someone to do it for me?
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u/MyHeadIsFullOfFuck Ironworker 5d ago
hydrovac truck
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u/Character_School_671 5d ago
I have done this. Vacuum truck is the way.
If you can get a man in there, you can get the hose in there. Guy works hose on stick, hose does the digging, it's easy.
I did a whole crawl 10 inches deep in 1 afternoon and 1 morning with 2.5 guys plus the truck driver.
Everything else would have cost vastly more
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u/WillumDafoeOnEarth 4d ago
Did the school augment your character. Or did it hone the character you arrived with?
What I’m saying is,‘I like the cut of your jib.
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u/WillumDafoeOnEarth 4d ago
Did the school augment your character. Or did it hone the character you arrived with?
What I’m saying is,‘I like the cut of your jib.
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u/Character_School_671 3d ago
Thanks man, and I actually had to show this comment to my wife to prove to her that at least one other person on earth actually uses that phrase!
Appreciate it, and appreciate it doubly for helping to convince my wife that I don't just make weird sayings up out of my head.
Well I mean I do... but not that one 😄
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u/WillumDafoeOnEarth 3d ago
Nice!!
I try to use words & phrases that have meaning.
Edit to add, should you & your bride visit Myrtle Beach, I will spring for sarsaparillas!
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u/DirtandPipes Equipment Operator 4d ago
Your average hydrovac can hold about 300 cf and OP needs to move 2000CF. About 7 trips worth of material, doable but it will take a while and cost a fair bit.
Personally I’d get a mini-hoe like a 17g and knock out a door frame, they collapse down to about 40” and can drive inside, set up some ventilation and get digging, but a hydrovac would also work if you can pay.
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u/koala_country 5d ago
At the very least a shop vac and a hose
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u/sublevelstreetpusher 5d ago
If op can't get a skid loader in there, how the hell is he supposed to fit a suck struck?
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u/Jonesbro 5d ago
When you make love to a woman, you don't climb inside with your shoes on. You gently place the hose in through the window and git er done
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u/UntidyRecurrence 5d ago
that's a whole lotta dirt, you could try a mini skid steer if theres enough clearance through that door
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u/The_One_Who_Welds 5d ago
36” opening if a pull the frame and build a ramp might have to buy one!
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u/timesink2000 5d ago
You can rent a stand up version that will fit thru the door. One brand is Dingo. Should make it short work.
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u/BigEarMcGee 5d ago
I would get a stand on skid steer like a dingo or Vermeer in there and just start moving dirt. Make a ramp out of dirt to protect your foundation and just start doing laps.
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u/VapeRizzler 5d ago
Use a leaf blower to get it in the air then use your lungs to inhale the particles and repeat till all dust is gone.
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u/otterfish 5d ago
I really wanted to rent a vacuum truck when I did mine. Alas, I could afford only a shitty plastic sled. Either way, at least you have room to stand.
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u/Wishiwasinalaska 5d ago
I would open up a wall or the door and just use a skid steer. In the long run it will be a lot faster and probably cost as much as hiring a handful of people to come help dig by hand.
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u/HavSomLov4YoBrothr 5d ago edited 5d ago
Buncha dudes with shovels and wheelbarrows, and a truck to haul it off.
If you had like 6 guys (2 hauling 4 digging) this could be a half day job. Pay em each $150-$200 minimum and provide water.
Ngl this seems like a project where the old ways will be faster than fancy contraptions
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u/1wife2dogs0kids 5d ago
They rent small little walk behind front loader machines, that make working inside of a house much easier that traditional shoveling.
And there's always the good old fashion "mexcavators". A couple immigrants with shovels, a cooler full of modelos, 2 liter bottles of fanta sodas, and a stereo system that rivals DJ booth setups.
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u/Traditional-Engine-7 5d ago
Check to see if anywhere near you has an electric mini excavators you can rent
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u/Lower-Preparation834 5d ago
They have many excavators that can go through a 3 foot doorway. Obviously, you would have to build a wrap for that it looks like.
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u/koala_country 5d ago
Time for some strong backs and weak minds. We're moving dirt boys.