Foundation help!

Junkman · Jul 5, 2005

A thought came to me from another post. Why not dig down and place a footer below frost level. Then get an adjustable lolly column and set that in a sona tube and then put the column under the corner that needs reinforcing. Then pour concrete around the column and leave the top exposed. That way, you can adjust the column if it continues to settle and it will support the corner so you can do remedial work to shoring up the rest of the foundation.

jhb · Jul 5, 2005

All good suggestions. I will try and post a picture tonight. problem with my situation is I will not have too much room to work with. I think that there is only a foot or so down to the ledge the house is built on. This has its pluses and minuses. On the plus side, no footing, on the minus, not much room to work with.

Egon · Jul 5, 2005

Perhaps make contact with a knowledgeable contractor with all the right equipment.

From your description it may be time for a major upgrade if changes occured with only one small corner involved! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

You pays me now or you pays me more later! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon

drm · Jul 5, 2005

jhb,

You should contact a couple of contractors that do foundation repairs, underpinning specifically. This is a project that an experienced contractor should perform so be certain that underpinning and rubble foundation repair is a major portion of their business. There are several methods of underpinning depending on the supporting soil. Helical piers or driven piles may not be applicable if the ledge is solid and close to the bottom of the foundation wall. Shoring and underpinning should work better.

An example of shoring and underpinning may be something as follows: bracket the exposed portion of the wall and extend several feet each way into the undisturbed soil. Shore around the undisturbed soil. Dig down to solid supporting rock to place the shoring or jack. Jack the corner of the house up with a jack/shoring capable of supporting at least twice the calculated load. Place solid REINFORCED concrete underpinning between the brackets and the supporting rock in segments. Allow to cure 28 days. Remove jack and underpin in the jack location.

Note that this is an overly simplified version of what to do. If you are still contemplating doing this yourself, hire a Professional Engineer licensed in the state you are in who has substantial experience restoring old homes with foundation problems. Rubble foundation walls can last for some time if not disturbed then seem to crumble when disturbed. I would not take that chance with my house if this was me.

Good luck and please get the professionals involved no matter what you decide to do.

…Derek

tcb · Jul 5, 2005

home depot carries screw jack in different lengths. i have used them several times on various houses, you plan seems sound to me. good luck.

tim

jhb · Jul 6, 2005

Yes, I found the jacks I was looking for at Lowes. I never got pictures, but I will try and post soon.

jhb · Jul 6, 2005

drm, your comments are not lost on me, and I will consider them. Thanks for your input.

jim_wilson · Jul 7, 2005

The Concrete Network which was mentioned previously is a good site with a lot of good info. If you are digging for info try checking out the Fine Homebuilding website also the Journal of Light Construction website. The JLC site has lots of good info - there should be something in there about shoring up foundations.

jhb · Jul 7, 2005

I am thinking I may have to go the professional route here. If I prop up one corner, that will not settle out with the rest of the structure over time creating a different problem. After 150 years or so, it may be time to shore it up.