Basement Excavation

Now we can excavate the basement area layout with the backhoe to approximately 6' to 6' 8" deep, allowing 2 to 3 block to show above level grade, on a 12 course basement. When excavating said area I dig about 1' outside of the lime line depending on soil conditions to allow room for the footer and a footer drainpipe outside the footing. After excavating to 6' deep or so we must re-establish our outside line once again to dig our footer ditch in the bottom of the hole. The excavator will probably dig or bulldoze a ramp to get his backhoe in and out of the basement. After relaying the lime line in the bottom of the hole the excavator should establish a 16" wide ditch with 1 tooth of his 16" bucket (4 inches) outside of the lime line. This will allow room to lay 8" wide concrete block for the foundation.
In a perfect world we would end up with a footer ditch 26' 8" x 42' 8" outside to outside then providing all sides are straight and the ditch is exactly 8" deep. We have a wonderful footer ditch which will be filled with a grade of at least 5 1/2 to 6 sacks (per yard) gravel footer mix concrete. Once it is poured and allowed to dry for a day or so. I myself like 48 hours at least, before we commence laying the block or bring in the foundation pouring forms for a solid concrete foundation. This requires forms, usually of steel or plywood, someplaces today you can get styrofoam forms which will insulate your foundation when it is poured. I also suggest a limestone mix of concrete for a poured foundation.
Once we have the foundation layed up (block) or poured (concrete) we will be 24 or less inches above the level grade. We now bring in some of the excavated dirt to get a tapered yard, slopping 1 foot in 8 to 10 feet away from the house giving us a water shedding effect around the house. Do not backfill against the basement walls until after you read the next paragraph.
Until next time Phil