Old Footer Issue
#1
04-01-14, 04:38 PM
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: USA
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Old Footer Issue
In my 160 year old Folk Victorian with a field stone and granite foundation I have just finished a new internal weeping system with two sump pumps. Now that the spring rains are rerouted outside instead of floating the storage containers in the basement, I have to replace the crumbling brick support columns for the interior support beams. There are just too many water wicked bricks, so I decided to remove the column, pour a new footer and rebuild it. I've supported the beam on both sides and taken the load off of the column. Before taking it down I broke the concrete around the column base to see what it was resting on. To my surprise the house center column is built upon a big field stone just larger than the perimeter of the column (OK - I really wasn't surprised. Par for the course). So my question is this: rebuild on the same rock, or break out my ACME dynamite kit, remove the rock, pour a new footer and then rebuild? In our metropolis of a town the builder inspector neither answers emails, phone calls or answers questions more than an hour and a half twice a month. I think the simplest solution is to just rebuild on the rock - your thoughts?
#2
04-02-14, 08:57 PM
Does it have to be inspected? Since you already sent an email, you don't want them to decide that it's not right, after it's done. Normally, my guess would be that you can use the existing rock.
#4
04-03-14, 06:09 AM
Group Moderator
Around here a rock would have to be removed and the footer placed on strong virgin soil. If said it was set on bedrock or a rock so big you have no idea how big then you might get away with it but since it's only slightly larger than the column I'd say it should go.
I Assume your rock is about 20" and with enough grunting and sweating you could lift it out of the hole. If not a series of holes can be drilled in a line and you pound in feathers and wedges to split the rock. There is also rock splitting grout that you mix up, pour into the holes and as it hardens it slowly expands with great force splitting the stone.
I Assume your rock is about 20" and with enough grunting and sweating you could lift it out of the hole. If not a series of holes can be drilled in a line and you pound in feathers and wedges to split the rock. There is also rock splitting grout that you mix up, pour into the holes and as it hardens it slowly expands with great force splitting the stone.
