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The big debate on stump grinding depth in old neighborhoods
Last month in Portland, I had to remove a huge maple stump from a 1920s lot. The homeowner wanted it ground 18 inches deep for a new patio, but my old boss always said going past 12 inches risks hitting old pipes and foundations nobody mapped. I went with 14 inches as a middle ground and we did find a clay sewer line, but it was fine. What's your rule for depth in these historic areas, play it safe or go deep for the client?
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the_joseph8d ago
That middle ground of 14 inches is smart. It's like you're digging into a time capsule nobody kept records for. I've heard stories of guys hitting brick cisterns or old coal chutes just past a foot down. Going the full 18 for a patio might be overkill anyway, you just need enough depth for a solid gravel base and pavers. Sometimes playing it safe is the best service for the client, even if they don't get the exact number they wanted.
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masongonzalez8d ago
My last "time capsule" find was a buried garden hose that fought back like a snake.
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