Egress Excavation

Milhaus

Anyone got any tips on digging an egress window well in the dead of winter? Or just digging in the winter in general? I have no concerns about running the equipment, but curious what works best in winter. I'm in Iowa and I would imagine frost is down at least a couple feet. (That's a best guess....I haven't a clue how far down the frost is).

Is there a piece of equipment that works best in small areas? I've got about 7 feet to a fence and the property line from the house.

Safety concerns? Weather will be in the 30s when I'm digging.

rino1494

First of all, if there is any frost in the ground, I don't recommend attempting any excavation near a foundation. Any pounding and ripping near a foundation like that can cause the foundation to crack.

I suggest waiting a couple more weeks or longer if you can. If not, then set up some tarps and build a tent where you have to dig and set up some torpedo heaters and let them run for a long time. Just don't melt the siding. Chances are, it prolly won't get all of the frost out of the ground, but it will help.

As far as choosing the correct machine, you will be best off using a mini excavator. I say no bigger than 7,000 lbs.

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dayexco

why would you waste money renting a machine for that little hole? like rino said, tent it up, throw a heater in it for 4-5 days...better yet wait for frost to go, dig it by hand,

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Milhaus

Thanks for the response.

Unfortunately, I need to get this going. I've seen some bigger companies around here not waste a beat dropping a foundation in the ground in the dead of winter. Is the difference working next to an existing foundation wall?

What is different? Is it digging such a small area? Or do they assume some risk digging with frost too? I assume the maintenance of keeping footings/foundation walls from freezing and frost is a cost they incure, but it seems to me it happens quite frequently here without much concern.

K2

I just finished a new egress window and window well. Hand dug. Generally i have found that the heat from the house/foundation takes the frost out for about 4 ' out from the house or maybe I'll find a crust of frost. Our frost went about 2' this year. Nothing up against the house.

I make my window wells with 4 or 6 inch stepouts for easy in and out. Screw them ladders.

Milhaus

I've heard of guys taking a jackhammer to get through the frost?

K2eoj - your stepouts - are you using timber to retain the well? If so, what are you using? Aren't there concerns with them bowing over time? Is there some hidden bracing behind the visible wall to keep it from bowing in over time? I like the appearance of timbers much better from the interior, but for this one, I'm thinking a steel well will be sufficient. I think I can find some plant covering that could raise the appeal from the interior.

K2

I'll use pt timbers, pt 2x , or retaining blocks, (heavies). I probably would use a a deadman type brace and or a stiffback/stiffedge depending. Of course I'm in a semi arid climate where pt could probably last a hundred years. I'm not familiar with what materials might work in other areas.