I am screening in an existing cement "patio" on my 1950 rowhouse. Because the slab won't support the roof, I am notching it and adding footings.

While digging one of the holes for the footings, I found a row of cinder blocks just beneath the slab adjacent to the basement walk out (pictured). I am assuming that they are there simply to support the slab, and not for any other purpose I haven't thought of.

If this assumption is correct, can I go ahead and remove them and pour my footing? I will thicken the replacement slab around the footing to compensate for the loss of support.

 

I ran into a similar problem. I called the architect who was in charge of the job & he told me to use it as part of the footing.

 

agree wouldn't hurt to just leave it there and pour concrete would also use some rebar in area.