In this video, we are going to learn to learn to dig foundations.
Make sure you have:
protective gloves
closed footwear
For this job you will need:
A spade
A small axe
A measuring tape
And a sledgehammer or a mallet
You will also need,
A wooden pole
And a log
We are going to explain to you the three essential steps for digging foundations
STEP 1: Dig the hole
Mark out the size of your hole using your spade.
Push the tool in with your foot, then gently lift the earth up to loosen it.
Next dig out small cubes of earth cutting with your spade and using both hands to give you leverage.
Repeat this action until the hole is the depth you want.
Check it with a measuring tape , always adding 10cm more than the required depth to make allowance for setting the wooden pole into the hole.
STEP 2: The risks
As you are digging, make sure that the width of the hole stays the same.
If you find any roots, cut them with the edge of your spade.
If you come across a rock or any stones, don't try to hit them with your spade as you might damage it.
Dig round the rock and try to lift it up, using your spade as a lever.
STEP 3: Filling the hole
Use the axe to cut the log into four wedges.
Wear protective gloves
Place the wooden pole into the hole.
Ask someone to hold it upright, whilst you fill around it with earth.
You can fill in the hole with stones or wood shavings. Pack the earth down with your hands to compress it around the pole.
Then use your feet to compact it further
Once the hole has been filled in, put your wedges in at an angle 5cm from the pole and hit the tops of them down so that they will compress the earth against the pole as you go along.
Next check that the pole does not move.
If the pole moves, push in more wedges alongside it.
You now know how to dig foundations.
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