gbick
Silver Member
Recently, after a hard rain, I noticed "rabbit holes" next to the cement block foundation. Digging down to investigate, I found the outside of the blocks crumbled away below grade and the dirt was falling into the hollows. The blocks look fine from inside and above ground outside.
The house is "L" shaped The original section is over 100yrs old, 2 story with cellar and full stone foundation. It is in fine shape. The 1 story problem section was added on in the 70's. It sits over a dirt crawlspace. The block frostwall was never sealed on the outside and the paved driveway slopes right to it. The backyard also slopes toward the house. (The JD 4310 will remedy this.)
The immediate issue is to replace this foundation before that part of the house falls. Lifting the whole house is out of the question and as they are connected, this section can't be lifted much. The plan is to knock out and replace the blocks a small section at a time. This, I can afford and and can work as I can. Not having laid block before, I'm wondering how to get the blocks hard up against the sill. Should anything go between the blocks and the sill?
I was wondering how I would ever get the time to do this. Well be careful what you wish for- the paper mill I've worked at for 22yrs. suddenly shut down last week. I could lament about America's evaporating industry, but that's a different thread. I will be paid for 60 days or until called back by a different owner. If the mill isn't sold by then, GP will close it permenantly. So I will be starting on this job right away. Any advice, guys and girls? Thanks, Greg.
The house is "L" shaped The original section is over 100yrs old, 2 story with cellar and full stone foundation. It is in fine shape. The 1 story problem section was added on in the 70's. It sits over a dirt crawlspace. The block frostwall was never sealed on the outside and the paved driveway slopes right to it. The backyard also slopes toward the house. (The JD 4310 will remedy this.)
The immediate issue is to replace this foundation before that part of the house falls. Lifting the whole house is out of the question and as they are connected, this section can't be lifted much. The plan is to knock out and replace the blocks a small section at a time. This, I can afford and and can work as I can. Not having laid block before, I'm wondering how to get the blocks hard up against the sill. Should anything go between the blocks and the sill?
I was wondering how I would ever get the time to do this. Well be careful what you wish for- the paper mill I've worked at for 22yrs. suddenly shut down last week. I could lament about America's evaporating industry, but that's a different thread. I will be paid for 60 days or until called back by a different owner. If the mill isn't sold by then, GP will close it permenantly. So I will be starting on this job right away. Any advice, guys and girls? Thanks, Greg.