What Happens If You Hit Bedrock While Digging Deck Footings?

Digging deck footings usually involves soil, stone, and the occasional surprise. But sometimes excavation stops short for a very different reason:

You hit bedrock.

For homeowners in Selinsgrove, Shamokin Dam, Sunbury, Northumberland, Lewisburg, and Danville, encountering bedrock can feel alarming — especially when footings are required to reach frost depth. The good news is that bedrock isn’t a failure or a deal-breaker. It just changes the approach.

Here’s what it means, and how it’s handled correctly.

Why Bedrock Shows Up in Central Pennsylvania

Central Pennsylvania has:

• Shallow bedrock in many areas

• Rolling terrain and elevation changes

• Mixed soil conditions over rock ledge

It’s not unusual for excavation to encounter bedrock anywhere from a few inches to a few feet below grade — especially on slopes or near older homes.

Because bedrock isn’t visible at the surface, there’s often no way to predict it until digging begins.

Why You Can’t Just Stop Digging and Pour Concrete

Deck footings are designed to:

• Sit below the frost line

• Transfer loads evenly into the ground

• Prevent frost heave and settlement

When bedrock appears above frost depth, the footing can’t simply stop where digging becomes difficult. The solution must still:

• Meet code intent

• Provide long-term stability

• Be acceptable to the inspector

That’s why bedrock requires a code-compliant alternative, not a shortcut.

How Bedrock Is Typically Handled

1. Pinning Footings to Bedrock

One common approved method is:

• Drilling into the bedrock

• Installing rebar dowels

• Pouring concrete footings that are mechanically bonded to the rock

This effectively locks the footing in place and prevents frost-related movement.

2. Stepping or Reengineering the Footing

In some cases:

• Footing size is increased

• Depth is adjusted where allowed

• Load is spread across a larger bearing area

The goal is always to achieve equal or greater resistance to movement than a traditional below-frost footing.

3. Adjusting the Deck Layout (When Necessary)

Occasionally:

• Footing locations are shifted slightly

• Beam spans are adjusted

• Structural loads are redistributed

Any layout changes are done intentionally and with structural logic — never randomly.

How Inspectors View Bedrock Conditions

Inspectors are familiar with bedrock conditions and generally look for:

• Proper documentation

• Secure attachment to bedrock

• Equivalent frost protection

• Sound structural reasoning

When handled correctly and communicated clearly, bedrock solutions are commonly approved.

Why Bedrock Is Not a Bad Thing Structurally

Once addressed properly, bedrock can actually be an advantage:

• Extremely stable bearing surface

• No risk of soil compression

• Long-term resistance to movement

The key is making sure the deck is properly connected to it, rather than just resting on top of it.

Why Bedrock Can Affect Timeline or Cost

While bedrock isn’t unusual, it can:

• Slow excavation

• Require specialized drilling

• Involve additional materials or labor

• Delay concrete placement

Good contractors identify the issue early, explain options clearly, and proceed deliberately — rather than forcing progress and creating future problems.

Why Experience Matters When Bedrock Is Involved

Bedrock conditions require:

• Knowledge of local codes

• Comfort working with inspectors

• Structural understanding

• Proper tools and techniques

This is not an area where guesswork belongs.

Final Thoughts for Central Pennsylvania Homeowners

Hitting bedrock during deck footing excavation isn’t a mistake — it’s a site condition. What matters is how it’s handled.

For homeowners in Selinsgrove, Shamokin Dam, Sunbury, Northumberland, Lewisburg, and Danville, properly addressing bedrock ensures:

• Long-term deck stability

• Code compliance

• Peace of mind through every season

When bedrock is treated with respect and experience, the deck above it benefits for decades.