Drying Fooing Holes Before Concrete

Handyman14

I am practicing onmy own house as many of us do. I had the trench dug for my footings on a 24x24 attached garage. it rained and now I need to get the muck out. Or is there a way to dry it out. I am in Wisconsin and time is running out before Snow. I am hoping it is not "grab a shovel" Any suggestions, Thanks

tgeb

If you have standing water, use a pump, then a shop vac to get the last of the water.

If you have as you described, "muck", get a shovel and some boots!

I have found that when dealing with "muck" some times adding soil to it is easier than trying to get it out while it's slimy. Think of it as making it thick enough to handle.

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Tom

www.gebcon.com

Handyman14

thanks, I also heard about lyme. What will that do?

K2

Concrete can displace water. I've done it a few times with an engineer' s representitive on site at the time of the pour for cassions etc. The water just comes to the top and then channels away. You have to watch your slump. ... I've done it a few times without an engineers approval too, works good. ... I don't think I'd try it with muck. .. Boots and shovel...

Portland cement would probably work better than lime but i would not try either. It would be expensive and you would not know your bearing strength when you were done.

I've seen guys try to displace snow with concrete. That does not work. Concrete can't melt snow fast enough either.

Chris Johnson

Pump out as much as you can, pour 3" of lean mix, set your forms 3" higher if needed, pump again as needed and pour the footing the next day.

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Chris