For homeowners in Victoria, BC, the dream of a finished basement often hits a snag—literally. Unlike modern construction, many older Victoria homes were built when real estate wasn’t the premium it is today. It was simply easier (and cheaper) to build over a large outcropping of rock rather than remove it. Fast forward to the present, and that once-ignored chunk of bedrock is an expensive, unusable space.

That’s exactly where we came in. A customer in Victoria called Rock Busters (www.rockbusters.com) with a mission: transform their rocky basement into a brand-new living area.

The Challenge: 28 Cubic Meters of Bedrock

The area needing excavation was substantial: roughly 28’ x 15’ and up to 6 feet high, totaling about 28 cubic meters of rock. This isn’t a simple demolition job; it’s a precision removal operation inside a home.

Creating a Safe & Clean Workspace

Our first priority is always safety and air quality. Drilling rock is inherently dusty, so we implemented a rigorous system:

• Air Handlers: We set up two powerful air handler fans to continuously push the dirty air out and draw fresh, clean air in, maintaining a good working and living environment.
• Dust Control: We use a HEPA vacuum with a dust extractor to collect dust at the source.
• Extra Precaution: A line of hose and misters is installed from the ceiling, ready to be used to dampen dust if needed.
• Worker Safety: All crew members are fully protected with proper PPE and respirators, strictly following our site-specific silica control plan.

Preparing the Foundation

We always plan to excavate about 1 foot lower than the final desired grade. Why? Rock doesn’t break evenly. It leaves a rough, jagged bottom. Removing the extra depth allows us to fill the space back in with new gravel, compact it thoroughly, and create a perfectly level base for the new concrete slab.

The Rock Demon Advantage: Instant Results

The core of our operation relies on our proprietary technology. We start by drilling a grid pattern of 1.5-inch diameter holes on 1-foot spacing across the rock surface.
Once drilled, we bring in the star of the show: the Rock Demon pneumatic splitter and wedges, a tool exclusive to Rock Busters.
Compared to hydraulic splitters or expansive grout like Rock-X (which requires an overnight wait), the Rock Demon offers instant results.

We simply drill a row, split it off, and repeat. It’s a straightforward, efficient process.

• Low Impact: The Rock Demon is celebrated for its ability to take out bedrock with low impact, making it the ideal choice for residential work.
• Portability & Versatility: It’s lightweight enough to be carried in a backpack, making it perfect for rough terrain or remote access areas. With various wedge sizes, it’s effective for hole depths from 1 foot to 4 feet.
• Proven Track Record: Initially designed for boulder splitting, it’s become the go-to for tight areas and small bedrock jobs. Its low-impact precision was critical for projects like the Transmountain Pipeline (removing rock beneath the existing pipeline) and Metro Vancouver (tunnelling under Stanley Park).

Navigating Structural Complications

As the project moved forward, a new hurdle emerged: two existing timber support columns and an additional inside concrete foundation wall needed removal. This is a critical point that requires careful planning.
To safely remove the columns, we will bring in a structural engineer to design a comprehensive shoring plan. We will then install temporary shoring to bear the weight of the upper floors before any removal takes place. This is entirely “doable” and essential to safely create the open space needed for the new living area.

Protecting the Foundation: Precision Rock Removal

A major concern for the client was how to remove rock right up against the house’s foundation without causing damage. We have two reliable methods for this detail work:

1. Line Drilling: We drill a row of closely spaced holes (about 4 inches apart) along the perimeter of the rock to be removed. This acts as a separation line, ensuring the rock breaks cleanly away from the foundation. We always remove the bulk of the rock from the opposite side first, relieving pressure and working our way toward the foundation wall last.
2. Diamond Blade Rock Sawing: For ultimate precision, we use diamond blade hydraulic rock saws with cut flush adapters. This allows us to cut the rock as close as necessary to the concrete foundations, creating zero vibration, stress, or strain. We can even cut flush to make the rock match up perfectly with the existing walls.

By removing this massive rock outcropping, an unusable basement in a desirable Victoria location is being converted into a valuable, beautiful living space—perfect for a new family room, a basement suite, or even a lucrative short-term rental for visitors enjoying the Inner Harbour and Parliament Buildings.

Ready to excavate your potential? Contact Rock Busters today!

Would you like to know more about the Rock Demon or our silica control plan?