Need to fix a concrete block foundation

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Countryside : One Thread

We have a cellar foundation (it used to have an enclosed porch, attached to our house, above it; porch has collapsed) that has separated at the NE corner, from the top to the bottom. At the top, the blocks have separated by perhaps four inches, narrowing down to just a crack at the bottom. It wasn't properly built to start with, I don't think, as it appears the blocks weren't overlapped at the corner. This foundation is buried on the south and east sides, but totally exposed on the north; the west side is open to the house cellar, but we have started building a block wall there to close it off. My question is, could this block foundation be fixed? Is it worth bothering with? We've been talking about building a new, small house and tearing the old farmhouse down, as it has a lot of rot. I don't want to build on a bad foundation, but foundations are expensive, and we don't have a lot of money -- with probably a depression coming on, that situation isn't likely to improve. So, if it's possible to fix the 16' x 20' porch basement, and use that, I'd like to. Anyone have any ideas?

-- Kathleen Sanderson, NH (stonycft@worldpath.net), November 12, 2001

Answers

It is possible that you could use large cables with turnbuckles to draw the wall back into place, dig out under the foundation at least 8 inches deeep and put in a new slab of concrete that is wider than the existing foundation. There are so many varatibles like roof weight, tree roots, ect that I would recommend getting an experienced persons opinion before doing anything.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), November 12, 2001.

from a structural engenering viewpoint a block wall will not withstand the presure of the surounding earth ,,,,, but depending on the site specifics it will stay 5..6 ...mabey 15 years. i would think the exixting celler walls would be false economy .if you can swing it at all go for a poured foundation and have footing drains placed to keep water from adding presure on the foundation.basements are so handy for the mechanicals (water,,elec. ect...)and willl increase the usable space dramaticly .also try to get the best windows you can afford there are some very good insulating windows out there today . look around and see what materials you can find at bargan prices the deals are out there. good luck

-- george darby (windwillow@fuse.net), November 13, 2001.

Moderation questions? read the FAQ