Underpnning Existing Foundation and Structure

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

TRUWEBS - 23 Aug 2008 20:24 GMT

Hello All,

Hoping I can get some valuable advise on a future project.

I have a 50 year old ranch style home with full basement. The
basement only has a ceiling height of aobut 7'7"

We have construction plans to add about 900 sq. ft of basement.

The new basement will be 13 coarse block wall which means the footers
need to be below the level of the footers of the existing structure

I have had 2 contractors bid on the job.

One has said to just dig footer adjacent to existing footers and
foundation while the other has said to underpinn the existing
structure with the new footers and foundation.

What direction do I go and why? Which is more costly?

Please help

TRU

Reply to this Message

aemeijers - 23 Aug 2008 23:46 GMT

> Hello All,
>
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> TRU

Probably varies with local codes and/or local soil conditions. I've seen
lotsa owner-built additions where it wasn't, and it should have been.
Tying the footers and foundations together will cost more, but will make
it harder for the old and new parts to shift in different directions
with settling, frost heave and ground tremors.

This is one of those situations where you need to talk to local code
office and perhaps pay for the expertise of a local engineer. I'd start
by carrying the working drawings and the estimates into the local
inspector's office, and asking for a few minutes of his time. A lot
easier to change things on paper, than to try and retrofit rebar dowels
in the field after the concrete is in.

--
aem sends...

Reply to this Message

TRUWEBS - 24 Aug 2008 03:00 GMT

> > Hello All,
>
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
>
> - Show quoted text -

Thank you for the response. I will take my drawings to the city
engineer shortly.

Reply to this Message

Art - 24 Aug 2008 05:31 GMT

Also if poured concrete is available in your area, skip the block.

Further unless the soil is extremely sandy, now is the time to consider a
perimeter drain system for the house.

On Aug 23, 6:46 pm, aemeijers <aemeij...@att.net> wrote:

> TRUWEBS wrote:
> > Hello All,
[quoted text clipped - 38 lines]
>
> - Show quoted text -

Thank you for the response. I will take my drawings to the city
engineer shortly.

Reply to this Message

Homeowner Forum / Construction / August 2008

Underpnning Existing Foundation and Structure