Capital city earthwork

Excavation Contractors in Salt Lake City, UT

From pre-war bungalows on the flats to steep bench lots, on old lakebed and active faults.

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Excavation Contractors in Salt Lake City, UT

One City, Very Different Ground

Excavation contractors in Salt Lake City work on ground that changes from block to block. The city rises from about 4,210 feet near the Jordan River to the foothill benches, which are old Lake Bonneville shorelines, and its 199,723 residents (2020) live everywhere from flat west-side grids to hillside streets in the Avenues and the East Bench.

Older homes, older lines

Much of the city's housing went up before World War II; only select areas such as Federal Heights, the East Bench and parts of Rose Park and Glendale have seen much new home construction since the 1970s. That means a steady stream of sewer lateral and water line replacements, garage teardowns, basement additions under small houses, and regrading where yards have settled toward foundations.

Faults under the grid

The Warm Springs Fault runs along West Temple near Temple Square, and in 2021 researchers found it connects with the East Bench Fault beneath the city. The Wasatch Fault system is considered capable of a magnitude 7.5 earthquake, and most predicted damage would come from liquefaction of clay- and sand-based soils. Engineered foundations follow those conditions; we excavate and compact to the plans.

Spring floods

Snowmelt flooded parts of the city in 1952 and especially 1983, when City Creek left its banks and downtown streets became waterways. Lots near creeks and at the foot of the benches need drainage built for fast melt.

Design criteria

The city's published criteria list a 30-inch frost line and Seismic Design Category D2 for houses. Footings and water lines go below frost.

The Avenues historic district

The area between 6th Avenue and South Temple is a historic district with many Victorian-era homes on a sloping bench. Exterior work in local historic districts may need city review first, and old stone foundations need careful excavation beside them.

Typical city jobs

Lateral and water line replacement
Addition footings and basement dig-outs
Retaining walls on the Avenues and East Bench
French drains and regrading
Garage teardowns for ADUs

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Ground Conditions in Salt Lake City

Design criteria. Salt Lake City's 2024 IBC/IRC design criteria list a 30-inch frost line and residential Seismic Design Category D2.
Faults beneath the city. The Warm Springs and East Bench faults were found in 2021 to connect beneath the city; the Wasatch Fault is considered capable of a magnitude 7.5 quake.
1983 flood. Spring snowmelt in 1983 sent City Creek over its banks, and engineers turned several downtown streets into waterways.
Freezing days. The city drops to or below freezing on about 127 days a year, and 26 days stay below freezing all day.

Sewer & Water Lateral Digs in Salt Lake City, UT

Our Services in Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake City Questions

Can you dig on a steep Avenues lot?

Yes, with compact equipment, careful staging and shoring or walls where the slope needs them.

Do you replace sewer laterals in older neighborhoods?

Yes, excavating and backfilling for your plumber, with street permits where needed.

Do I need a soils report for an addition?

Many additions with new foundations do, especially on benches or near faults. We build to it.

Can you remove an old garage to make room for an ADU?

Yes, including the slab and footings, with the site left graded.

Do you work in the Avenues historic district?

Yes, with care near old foundations and after any required city review.

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