Salvage Garage/Home Foundation

[me146]

I recently won at auction a building lot with an existing block foundation (said to be built in 1999). It has some small eastern red cedar (only one "sizable" cedar to speak of, its 10-12 feet tall maybe) that are growing around and within the foundation (the big one is very near the wall if I recall correct). I have not dug to inspect foundation yet. If I am permitted to use the existing foundation I plan to knock some blocks off one side and backfill the entire thing to pour concrete and make it a garage. I'm looking for some input on acceptable conditions of the foundation? ( built will work for what I plan to do with it?) The foundation was originally built for a 2-3 bedroom stick frame home around 1200 sq. feet. If I use it, it will likely only contain a concrete slab and have no load bearing walls directly on top, a larger (stone/concrete) foundation would be built just outside of it... feasible to use it or should I use it as fill and start from scratch? Now that I've laid it out here in black and white... I'm thinking push it all over to where I want to put in some fill to raise the driveway and start fresh so I know what I am building on for sure. The ground off the east side of the foundation is slightly downhill and is an area I would like raised some. I have a little dozer that would make quick work of it. But using it seems logical to me, its already laid out and in place and would basically be acting as just a concrete form. The lot is level/rolling and mostly wooded so the fill I need could come from somewhere else because I am going to clear a lot of it.. Or just an extra load of rock would probably bring me up to grade. The plan is to build log home with local sourced whole cedar logs. I will make an official tree count soon. Between this 5 acres and 20 more I own nearby, there should be more than enough. I'll try to post pics when I get under way. I want to keep a good photo log of the whole project. I'm horrible with organization. I figure laying it out here might encourage me to keep good records. Please give input/suggestion.

 

[ace10]

Without seeing pics, my first thought is that compaction of the fill is going to be difficult inside the footprint of that small basement.

 

[oosik]

If the existing block foundation proves to be in good shape and where you want it - I see no reason not to use it. Careful use of a vibratory compactor inside the foundation can prepare that area for a concrete pour. It would be beneficial to learn what happened on the project back in 1999. Did it stop due to somebody recognizing there was problems with the foundation or was it due to other non-foundation related issues - funding, changes in plans etc. Starting your project with a good foundation can save you considerable money. Have somebody that is knowledgable in this area check it out for you. I would be concerned that the foundation has not deteriorated, over this extended time, due to exposure to the weather.

Also, is this foundation in a condition to not be damaged by the compaction required to prep it for a concrete floor.

 

[bigtiller]

I recently won at auction a building lot with an existing block foundation (said to be built in 1999). It has some small eastern red cedar (only one "sizable" cedar to speak of, its 10-12 feet tall maybe) that are growing around and within the foundation (the big one is very near the wall if I recall correct). I have not dug to inspect foundation yet. If I am permitted to use the existing foundation I plan to knock some blocks off one side and backfill the entire thing to pour concrete and make it a garage. I'm looking for some input on acceptable conditions of the foundation? ( built will work for what I plan to do with it?) The foundation was originally built for a 2-3 bedroom stick frame home around 1200 sq. feet. If I use it, it will likely only contain a concrete slab and have no load bearing walls directly on top, a larger (stone/concrete) foundation would be built just outside of it... feasible to use it or should I use it as fill and start from scratch? Now that I've laid it out here in black and white... I'm thinking push it all over to where I want to put in some fill to raise the driveway and start fresh so I know what I am building on for sure. The ground off the east side of the foundation is slightly downhill and is an area I would like raised some. I have a little dozer that would make quick work of it. But using it seems logical to me, its already laid out and in place and would basically be acting as just a concrete form. The lot is level/rolling and mostly wooded so the fill I need could come from somewhere else because I am going to clear a lot of it.. Or just an extra load of rock would probably bring me up to grade. The plan is to build log home with local sourced whole cedar logs. I will make an official tree count soon. Between this 5 acres and 20 more I own nearby, there should be more than enough. I'll try to post pics when I get under way. I want to keep a good photo log of the whole project. I'm horrible with organization. I figure laying it out here might encourage me to keep good records. Please give input/suggestion.

I'm not a structural engineer but I bet the foundation requirements for a log home are far greater than they are for a 2/3 bedroom home. I think I would get an engineer on site or just start from scratch and build it for your use.

 

[me146]

I realize I will need a much larger foundation to support logs opposed to a stick built frame. As I stated, the current block foundation will basically only act as a concrete form for a slab if I decide it will do the job. There will be a different foundation made for the logs, part of which would sit just outside the existing blocks. Most of the main living area will actually be perpendicular to the current foundation... So, all logs will be on a new foundation built to support them.

 

[Cord]

I realize I will need a much larger foundation to support logs opposed to a stick built frame.

The loading for a foundation is comparable between a stick framed home and a log home. It's the detailing at the top course which is critical for a log home. Now, if we were talking about a timber frame home, then there could be some point loading issues that would be addressed.

 

[me146]

I have no doubt that if I filled and reinforced all the block I could stack my little cedars and have no problem. The block is filled around all the corners and out several feet... However I tend to overbuild and feel that's a good thing, I don't plan to stack logs or build any wall on the existing foundation. I don't think I will have any problems with code. More so they may have a problem with me by being outside the norm. I want to build butt and pass with fresh logs from my property. There are lots of other log homes nearby but not built this way. The height of the stone/concrete foundation may well be the entire first floor. I do intend to have some vertical posts (probably bodock) to support 2nd level, they will be on piers with plenty of reinforcement. Plans are pretty well hammered out in my head, need to find someone I can communicate with to put it all on paper for me. Anyone here that can work with me to make complete blueprints that would get me a permit? I have a brand new plotter I can print from if need be. Not trying to freeload, I will pay for what I need to jump the hoops. I have several calls to make next week to feel out how smoothly this may or may not go. I guess worst case, I bought land that some other idiot needs to buy

 

[me146]

Also, as far as looks.. the wife must approve... basically something we would all really drool over might make her happy.

 

[BHD]

I would think one would have to dig down and see what the footer was under the wall, and go from there,

If your under a jurisdiction, of some form discuss it with the building inspector,