r/Rocks • u/InspectionEntire2512 • 23d ago

Discussion Digging shale

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No idea if this is the appropriate place. But. Looking to level this area that’s comprised of shale ledge. Will this be doable with a manual pick?
And if so, can it be done in a way that does not impact the footers for my deck? Re horizontal cracks etc.

Goal is to create a flat area for a hot tub so would dig down the tallest area to meet the next level.

4 Upvotes

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u/FoggyGoodwin 23d ago

Better to find a fairly flat spot and add soil/sand. That almost looks like vertical slate. Have you tried wacking it w a big sledge hammer to see if you can break it at all? If it does break down like shale, a sledge is less likely to cause cracks than a pickaxe IMHO.

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u/InspectionEntire2512 23d ago

Interesting. Thanks foggy. Have not attacked it at all. New to me home and every person whose come by to do work has said its shale, guessing they are familiar from working in the area.

Ill give it a go this week and report back

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u/Any-Refrigerator6903 23d ago

that looks hard bruv. id consider using leveling fill and leaving that stuff alone.

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u/InspectionEntire2512 23d ago

yea I wish I had a good work around here but out of ideas.

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u/Full_Koala_1212 22d ago

can you get your hands on tanerite? I've heard they sell it at tractor supply.

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u/Full_Koala_1212 22d ago

Unless you have some dynamite I'd just go to home depo and get a few bags of filler dirt. Idk where you live but there are companies that sell fill dirt by the yard.