Pile, Caisson & Footing Excavation · Waterloo
Pile, Caisson and Footing Excavation in Waterloo
On a campus quad or beside a Lakeshore foundation the hole has to be exact, deep and next to something. That is hydrovac's job description.
Hydrovac is rarely the tool for bulk excavation, and it is exactly the tool for holes that must be exact, deep and close to something that cannot be disturbed. In Waterloo that describes pier footings a metre from a house wall on the west side, caissons for signage and shelters on campus grounds where mechanical digging near distribution is prohibited, pre-excavation at helical pile locations on infill and commercial sites, and underpinning pits beside existing footings. The water cuts cleanly to the designed depth, the walls stay truer than a bucket leaves them, and nothing alongside moves.
Typical jobs in Waterloo
- Caissons and footings on campus and institutional grounds for signs, bike shelters, canopies and light standards, through ground carrying steam, chilled water, feeders and fibre, to the engineered depth.
- Helical pile pre-excavation on infill and mid-rise sites in the University District and Uptown, exposing the top metre or two at each location so the pile contractor knows the path is clear before torquing in.
- Addition and deck pier footings on the established lots of Lakeshore, Laurelwood and Beechwood, where the footing sits against the house, the services enter nearby and nothing larger than a wheelbarrow fits through the side gate.
- Underpinning and basement lowering pits, cut in sequence to the engineer's drawings beside an existing footing.
- Exposing existing footings for assessment, waterproofing or repair where a backhoe would risk the foundation.
How it works on site
Locations are set out by the contractor or surveyor. The One Call locate is complete and, on institutional or commercial sites, the owner's private locate as well. On properties along Laurel Creek or near the reservoir the Grand River Conservation Authority's regulated-area mapping has been checked, since removing material from a site in a regulated area can need a permit. Each hole is cut to the specified diameter and depth, the base is checked, and the hole is left open and protected for the concrete or pile crew, or shored where anyone must enter under Ontario's construction regulation. Spoil leaves in the truck. Footing depth follows the engineer's drawing, which respects the Ontario Building Code requirement to be below frost penetration; the depth that applies to a Waterloo lot is confirmed with the City's building division.
What sets the quote
Hole count, diameter and depth, soil, access, shoring if required, and slurry volume. Deep holes in till produce a great deal of wet spoil, so disposal loads are a large part of a caisson job and are quoted as such. On an open site with good access and nothing in the ground, a mini-excavator is cheaper, and the quote says so.
Frequently asked questions
How deep can a hydrovac footing hole go?
To the depths residential and light commercial footings and caissons call for, and deeper on request. If anyone has to enter the excavation, Ontario's construction regulation requirements for protecting workers apply and the hole is shored or benched. Most footing holes are poured from the surface.
Is hydrovac cheaper than a mini-excavator for footings?
Not on an open site with good access. It is cheaper when the alternative is hand-digging beside services, when the machine cannot reach the hole, or when the owner does not permit mechanical digging near its plant, which is the case on most campus grounds.
Do you pour the footing or install the pile?
No. The hole is excavated to the drawing and handed to the concrete, pile or foundation contractor. Scheduling both on the same day keeps the hole from standing open and filling with water.
Serving Waterloo and surrounding areas. Contact us for a no-obligation quote specific to your property.