Top-rated excavation pros.

Get matched with top excavation pros in Jennerstown, PA

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your excavation project in Jennerstown, PA?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

Find Excavation pros in Jennerstown

Avatar for Sloan Construction Company
Sloan Construction Company
New to Angi
Building Site - Preparation and Clearing - For Business

Serving Jennerstown, PA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1988

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

We're a locally owned and operated company with over 22 years of industry experience. We value honesty and integrity in all aspects of our business. We offer a variety of Home Improvement services that are customizable to each individual project. Thank you for choosing Sloan Construction Inc

Response time10 mins
...
Showing 1-10 of 64
Excavating questions, answered by experts

Most residential basements are 8 to 10 feet deep. You can dig deeper depending on building codes, but it does become more difficult. You’ll likely need to install stronger foundation walls and additional supports to handle the increased load. Depending on the water table, you may also need a water management system. Clay soil can support a deeper foundation than sandy soil. A structural engineer will be able to tell you the maximum, feasible depth.

In the United States, a depth of 36 inches (three feet) for underground water lines is the accepted industry standard. This depth varies from location to location based on local conditions. In areas with colder winters, they may be buried deeper to prevent frozen well water pipes : This is usually at least six inches below the frost level. The International Plumbing Code calls for a minimum of 12 inches below grade.

Some two-in-one tools and machines do both jobs, and those could be the right solution for smaller residential projects. However, the phrase “use the right tool for the job” definitely applies to digging. For the best results, get two separate tools for your trenching and landscape edging projects or call a pro to take care of everything for you.

You can dig 60 to 80 linear feet by hand per day depending on the depth. Digging a 100-foot trench by hand will take you two work days, but it can take longer if you have heavy or rocky soil. If you’re digging a deep trench or one that’s over 100 feet, consider renting a mechanical trencher, such as a walk-behind or ride-on, or calling a pro for help. 

The best type of soil to build on is a mixture of sand and clay, known as loam soil. Loam soil has the best combination of these soil types to build a foundation on. The clay particles help with water retention, so it won’t erode like sandy soil might, and the sandy particles help with drainage, so you won’t see unsafe soil expansion or have an increased risk of leaks from water sitting against your foundation.

The Jennerstown, PA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.