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| Digging | Hole | Foundation | Gravel |
The backhoe proved surprisingly easy to use and quick as well. Unfortunately, as it operates in an arc, it left several substantial areas which had to be dug by hand. Also unfortunately, what passes for soiil in my yard consists primarily of rocks, then roots (as can be seen in the photo), then hard-packed clay, in that order, making hand-digging extremely arduous.
Once the footer was poured and the foundation blocks laid, 1" styrofoam insulation was applied along the entire length to help with heating during the winter, keepingthe foundation wall from being just a great heat-sink sucking all the warmth out of the interior. Then, of course, there was the shoveling of several tons of gravel into the GH for the floor.