Sifting a dirt floor basement

[Helix]

I have the opportunity to sift the dirt floor of a 1850's commercial building. Its relatively large. I have tried to metal detect but there are just way to many iron signals. I tried a few shovel fulls of dirt through my sifter and the dust was just insane, can't do much of anything down there with out respirator mask. Its a fine powder like moon dust. I have to be carefull about the dust issue because there is a business on the first floor. My question is does anyone have any ideas on keeping down the dust. I thought about getting myself a power full fan and about 200' of vent tube but that sounds costly for what I want to do. Maybe dampening the dirt first with a hose and water? Any ideas on the best way to go about this would be a big help. Everyone likes pictures so I include a few

 

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[pkb]

discriminate out the iron ?

 

[flyadive]

Vacuum the dirt up with one of those wet/dry vac's .

 

[Dak]

how about tossing some calcium chloride (or rock salt) down and slightly damping the earth with water?

 

[DiggerinVA]

Have you tried a very small coil, lower sensitivity and disc out iron? Some machines would probably do better than others i would think....Sniper coils seem to perform better in compressed dirt.

 

[Helix]

discriminate out the iron ?

I tried that but there is just so many small pieces of junk metal. Maybe not necessarily "iron" that might of been a bad description. Some areas seem cleaner then others metal detector works there. Others areas like around the steps leading down just to much metal. It would be like tying to metal detect the grounds of a old metal scrap yard. If you know what I mean. I know there has to be coins and good stuff. I found a 1944 merc just laying in the dust on the old stair case. Also in the short time I did scratch around I found a porcelain doll, few marbles one clay, old buttons, few old bottles and some other stuff. All just covered with enough dirt to were you couldn't see anything when walking past looking at the ground.

 

[Helix]

how about tossing some calcium chloride (or rock salt) down and slightly damping the earth with water?

Can you explain more? How would tossing down rock salt keep down the dust? The water yes I can see that helping as long as it not to wet to sift I guess.

 

[Msbeepbeep]

They fine mist the dust at construction sites with water. GL. HH

 

[relicmeister]

Be careful of asbestos within the dust also.
What about metal detecting with high disc.and just dig the most consistent signals? spray the area with water sprayer first.

 

[Helix]

I agree with the water idea. I was also thinking a hose with a sprayer. soak down the areas I want to sift good then wait a few days till the dirt is not to dry that its going to make a ton of dust but damp enough to sift. "" That sound's like a good idea. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[tennessee]

I'm sure you'll figure some way. If you haven't already, you should, at least, try a sniper coil. Used one in a metal infested garden spot and was amazed. Couldn't find anything with an 8 inch coil.

 

[Papalittle]

Get one of those hand pump sprayer that you'd use in a garden. get a good signal just spray that spot with water and dig.

 

[PeteWmass]

hey- if you make a pile of loose dirt and use a really strong magnet to take out all the iron - then you could detect it....though sifting would be ideal....

 

[foiler]

I had a similar situation years ago. Don't know if you can do what I did. I built a 3x4 screen with 2x6 and 1/4" wire mesh. Cleared everything out of the cellar. Flooded it overnight. Cut a sheet of plywood in half added 2x6 around the edge. Used the plywood to grid the area and hold the screened dirt. Move it to the next grid put the screen on it and start shoveling. When done remove your screen tip the plywood over into the grid it came from. Move over to the next grid. Repeat. No dust a bit easier in the digging, very messy but rewarding.

 

[Dak]

Can you explain more? How would tossing down rock salt keep down the dust? The water yes I can see that helping as long as it not to wet to sift I guess.

because calcium choloride attracts moisture helping to keep dust damp helping it from becoming airborn. it is often spread on the gravel at construction sites along with a daily pass or two with the water truck.

 

[Peyton Manning]

direct access to outside? try two 5 gallon buckets at a time outside

 

[Helix]

I'm sure you'll figure some way. If you haven't already, you should, at least, try a sniper coil. Used one in a metal infested garden spot and was amazed. Couldn't find anything with an 8 inch coil.

I do have a small 4" coil for my Garrett gti somewhere, as soon as I find it that's the first thing I will try. I' really would like to sift then not much would be missed. A lot of great ideas here. We were thinking about digging out the basement a few feet the poring concrete so if that's the case I will sift outside, which would be ideal. If not there are enough good ideas to figure out something. If I sift inside no doubt water will come into play. I am going to be out of town for a month or so but when I get back I will most likely start sifting. I'll be sure and post on my progress. Another interesting thing I read is that this town was formed in very early 1800's by 1830's this whole area was built up with brick buildings already. So this is the second brick building at this location. I guess a lot of times they would keep the basement of the previous building. Tare down the old building and reuse the same basement. I don't believe it visible in the pics but there is a 5' jut or were possibly the smaller older foundation stopped and when they built the current building they dug the rest out further so a larger building could be built. So my point is the front half might have some good age. Well thanks again everyone for keeping me motivated, one of the main reason's I like Tnet. I get burned out fast when I have very few people around who appreciate this kind of stuff.

 

[nate7394]

If you do end up going though with your plan of sifting, make sure to let us know what you find. There is a house on my property that has a dirt basement too, and I've always thought about detecting/sifting it. Looking forward to hearing what you find!

 

[doc-d]

I would think sifting would be best since there are likely relics that are non-metalic you would otherwise miss.

 

[chazman]

you could always shovel or vacuum up the dirt you want to sift and put enough water in that it's a slurry, then pour it through some screens or sieves. that way you would also get all the non metallic artifacts as well