Trial Pit Size?

[adzyp]

Im having drawings done for an extension and have been asked to expose existing foundations.

Side of our house is covered in 6 inch concrete and im just working my way through it now but a right pain in the behind.

I assume it just needs to be big enough to get a spade in at an angle?

Im currently about 16inches out from the wall and 19inches wide

 

[Notch7]

Who is asking that you expose existing foundations?

is this for an architect that is doing the building regs?

Im not sure why you need foundations exposed for a building regs application

maybe you are converting a garage?

 

[adzyp]

Who is asking that you expose existing foundations?

is this for an architect that is doing the building regs?

Im not sure why you need foundations exposed for a building regs application

maybe you are converting a garage?

Building surveyor is doing the drawings for a two storey side extension, he has recommended exposing them at any stage between now and build starting to avoid any unexpected work later on.

Im doing it now because ive got a breaker for a week doing something else so wanted to crack on with it.

He will then get the inspector round to take a look

 

[Notch7]

Building surveyor is doing the drawings for a two storey side extension, he has recommended exposing them at any stage between now and build starting to avoid any unexpected work later on.

Im doing it now because ive got a breaker for a week doing something else so wanted to crack on with it.

He will then get the inspector round to take a look

in terms of the trial hole, the issue is it being big enough to get a spade in to expose the house foundation

a post hole shovel -one of those ones with 2 handles is ideally what you need

otherwise its a case of a spade and using a trowel to get out the loose crumb

best avoided in midday sun!

 

[adzyp]

in terms of the trial hole, the issue is it being big enough to get a spade in to expose the house foundation

a post hole shovel -one of those ones with 2 handles is ideally what you need

otherwise its a case of a spade and using a trowel to get out the loose crumb

best avoided in midday sun!

Haha definately! Funnily enough i was just looking at a post shovel earlier. Think ill stop the concrete bashing now then and go for that

 

[jks7492]

It just needs to be large enough for you to be able to reach the bottom of the trial pit with a tape to measure up - depth from ground level to top of foundation, thickness of foundation and the step out from the face of the wall to the edge of the foundation.

Not really any need to have a building inspector to come out just to look at a trial hole before you've even started building the extension - just take some photos and then fill it in until you start work on the extension.

 

[^woody^]

A trial pit needs to be the size of the person digging it.

But it's a complete waste of time. Recommend by an inexperienced person.

 

[jks7492]

A trial pit needs to be the size of the person digging it.

Its a trial pit not a grave...

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

woody likes to dig his own grave.

 

[^woody^]

Its a trial pit not a grave...

Any links to 2.5m long shovels and small ironing boards for the OP to strap to his back?

 

[RonnyRaygun]

Im having drawings done for an extension and have been asked to expose existing foundations.

Side of our house is covered in 6 inch concrete and im just working my way through it now but a right pain in the behind.

I assume it just needs to be big enough to get a spade in at an angle?

Im currently about 16inches out from the wall and 19inches wide

Have you been told why the trial pit is required, and exactly what you are looking for?

 

[phatboy]

Our structural engineers needed 2 holes dug, to check the depth of the existing strip foundations for our extension.

As the holes only ended up being about 60cm deep, they were about 70cm wide and long.

It was a ball ache to dig out, as of course your head ends up against the existing house wall.