Blasting Ledge
New methods and materials make blasting
a more precise and safer technology.
by Edward Akerley
On Cape Ann, on the north shore of
Massachusetts where we do much of
our work, blasting for house foundations
is standard procedure-ledge is
everywhere.
The demand for blasting is increasing
in the rest of the Northeast as well, as
prime building sites become more
scarce and as improved materials and
techniques make blasting a more versatile
tool. On some sites, the best earth
must go to the septic system and the
house must go on the ledge.
The cost of blasting is often recouped
by the value a full foundation adds to
the house. In other cases, blasting is
required for utility