ᐅ Breaking up a compacted construction access road after new construction – How can I get through?
Created on: 4 Feb 2024 14:10
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ShaymiLenny
Hello everyone,
We have now been living in our new build for a few weeks and need to soon address the drainage for the driveway and the terrace roof. We already have a plan regarding the soakaways and their positioning, etc.
Eager and enthusiastic, I grabbed a shovel and after about 10cm (4 inches) of soil, I hit a nearly impenetrable layer: For the construction phase, the main contractor created a temporary road for the crane and construction vehicles. As a layperson, I can only guess what this consists of, but it appears to be a very densely compacted mix of large stones, rubble, gravel, and pebbles. When I try to dig in, it feels like I’m hitting solid rock. Unfortunately, I’m not trained to operate an excavator and wanted to use the digging of the pits as a kind of voluntary workout.
How can I get through this heavily compacted gravel layer? Do you have any tips? Or will I need to hire someone with heavy machinery for this? I really wanted to tackle some of the work myself, but I’m not sure if that will be possible.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Best regards,
Lenny
We have now been living in our new build for a few weeks and need to soon address the drainage for the driveway and the terrace roof. We already have a plan regarding the soakaways and their positioning, etc.
Eager and enthusiastic, I grabbed a shovel and after about 10cm (4 inches) of soil, I hit a nearly impenetrable layer: For the construction phase, the main contractor created a temporary road for the crane and construction vehicles. As a layperson, I can only guess what this consists of, but it appears to be a very densely compacted mix of large stones, rubble, gravel, and pebbles. When I try to dig in, it feels like I’m hitting solid rock. Unfortunately, I’m not trained to operate an excavator and wanted to use the digging of the pits as a kind of voluntary workout.
How can I get through this heavily compacted gravel layer? Do you have any tips? Or will I need to hire someone with heavy machinery for this? I really wanted to tackle some of the work myself, but I’m not sure if that will be possible.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Best regards,
Lenny
My wife also thought that we (meaning me) could dig the pit for the soakaway ourselves, with dimensions of 3 by 9 meters (10 by 30 feet). That was until she actually saw the hole. Spending money on the excavator operator was definitely worth it. He came with a large excavator and had the soakaway boxes buried in half a day.
I also moved a lot of soil and gravel myself using a wheelbarrow and shovel in our garden, basically doing everything by hand. I wouldn’t want to do that again.
The right equipment makes a big difference. At a depth of 1.7 meters (5.5 feet), even a mini excavator can struggle. Get advice from a tool rental center. If you can pick up the excavator yourself, you’ll save a lot. Delivery was the most expensive part of our 4-day rental.
I also moved a lot of soil and gravel myself using a wheelbarrow and shovel in our garden, basically doing everything by hand. I wouldn’t want to do that again.
The right equipment makes a big difference. At a depth of 1.7 meters (5.5 feet), even a mini excavator can struggle. Get advice from a tool rental center. If you can pick up the excavator yourself, you’ll save a lot. Delivery was the most expensive part of our 4-day rental.
Definitely rent an excavator. Especially just to break up the gravel. I've done this several times, and it’s hard work, like I imagine it would be in a labor camp.
Operating an excavator is something you can learn fairly quickly, and it’s actually enjoyable. Here it would cost about 100 € per day, plus fuel.
Operating an excavator is something you can learn fairly quickly, and it’s actually enjoyable. Here it would cost about 100 € per day, plus fuel.
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WilderSueden4 Feb 2024 20:30For a project of this size, definitely use an excavator. However, I would also consider hiring an operator for it. Sure, you can learn to operate an excavator over time, but working right at the excavation site is quite different from just moving 30cm (12 inches) of topsoil somewhere. Most mini excavators (around 1 to 1.5 tons) are really at their limit when digging to about 1.7m (5.5 feet). You’ll probably need something in the 3-ton class, maybe even a bit bigger. That means dealing with roughly 20 cubic meters (700 cubic feet) or more of soil plus sloping. You also need to plan beforehand where you’ll put all the excavated material so it doesn’t get in your way. With a 1-ton excavator, this could take a very long time.
If you want to break up these layers manually, for example for a pier foundation, use a pickaxe for larger holes. For smaller holes, attach an old, blunt chisel to a rotary hammer and stir the gravel with it. This loosens the layer so you can remove it with a shovel or trowel.
If you want to break up these layers manually, for example for a pier foundation, use a pickaxe for larger holes. For smaller holes, attach an old, blunt chisel to a rotary hammer and stir the gravel with it. This loosens the layer so you can remove it with a shovel or trowel.
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allstar834 Feb 2024 20:52Are there no excavators available on other construction sites nearby? Absolutely no way to do it manually.
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Allthewayup4 Feb 2024 21:08I agree with the others: mini excavator!
Do you have no one in your circle of friends who already has some experience with one? I have rented one about 5-6 times myself – I even used an electric excavator for work on a Sunday once, which was really awesome.
You will almost dig yourself to death with shovels given the amount of work, so I would avoid that.
Do you have no one in your circle of friends who already has some experience with one? I have rented one about 5-6 times myself – I even used an electric excavator for work on a Sunday once, which was really awesome.
You will almost dig yourself to death with shovels given the amount of work, so I would avoid that.
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motorradsilke5 Feb 2024 02:10We also had to dig a small trench for the curb stones along the sidewalk and another one for the sidewalk itself through this material. I used a rotary hammer for that. But it was hard work. The trench was about 12 m (39 feet) long, 30 cm (12 inches) wide, and up to 40 cm (16 inches) deep.
After that, I did the same for the planting holes for the hedge plants. However, I noticed that this material only extends to about 30 cm (12 inches) deep there; below that, it’s natural soil again.
After that, I did the same for the planting holes for the hedge plants. However, I noticed that this material only extends to about 30 cm (12 inches) deep there; below that, it’s natural soil again.
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