Digging a foundation into a hillside means protecting the uphill side and finding firm shale or sandstone for the footing. We follow the engineer's plan on both.
Most Pittsburgh houses have basements, and many were dug into the hill so one wall is fully underground and the other opens toward the street. A new foundation dig on a slope has to be benched or shored, with the uphill side protected from slipping. We dig to the engineer's elevations and stop at firm soil or rock for the footing inspection.
Footings must sit below the frost depth set by the code your municipality enforces, and on many lots they bear on weathered shale or sandstone. If the bottom turns out to be soft clay or old fill, it is dug out to firm ground and replaced as the engineer directs. Water seeping out of the hill into the hole is pumped and kept away from the footing.
We also dig along existing basement walls for waterproofing and wall repair crews, working in short sections so the wall is never left unsupported, and we excavate behind leaning retaining walls before they are rebuilt. Backfill goes in with drain stone and pipe so water does not build up against the new wall. Spoil is kept back from the edge of the cut on the uphill side.
Foundation excavation in Pittsburgh: common questions
Can you dig a basement addition into the hill?
Yes, with benching or shoring on the uphill side and a plan from the engineer. Rock or seepage may show up partway down.
How deep do footings go around Pittsburgh?
Your municipality's building code sets the frost depth, and the plans may go deeper to reach firm ground. We dig to the plans.
Can you dig out behind a failing retaining wall?
Yes. We remove the soil behind it in sections so the new wall and its drain can be built, then backfill with stone.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the site with you.
- Written quote: Scope, equipment and price in writing.
- Utility locate & plan: We have utilities marked and plan access, haul-off and erosion control.
- Dig, grade & clean up: We complete the work, grade the site and haul away spoil.