Perform Deep Excavation
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By far the deepest foundation we’ve ever dug for a patio. #hardscape #paverpatio #construction
What happens here
Once the depth requirement is determined, proceed with the excavation. The goal is to remove all recently disturbed or filled soil until the stable, undisturbed "virgin subgrade" is reached. As highlighted in the video, this could mean digging approximately three feet deep, significantly more than the typical one-foot depth for a patio. For a large area or deep excavation, heavy machinery like an excavator or backhoe is necessary. Mark the excavation area with spray paint or string lines, then systematically remove soil, checking depth frequently with a measuring tape.
Goal: Remove disturbed topsoil and fill to expose stable virgin subgrade.
Tools and materials
- Excavator Caterpillar — Efficiently digging and removing large quantities of soil for deep excavation
- Hard Hat MSA — Protecting against falling objects or head impacts during excavation work
- Measuring Tape Stanley — Regularly checking the excavation depth to ensure virgin subgrade is reached
- Safety Vest 3M — Increasing visibility on the construction site
- Shovel Fiskars — Fine-tuning the excavation edges and corners, or for smaller manual tasks
- Construction Marking Paint Rust-Oleum — Marking the boundaries of the excavation area on the ground