Id like to dig my own basement under my house. It has a crawlspace and about 4 feet underneath... All I need to do is dig a bit deeper! Right?! What about shoring up the foundation? Any tips? Thanks!
2006-07-21 11:02:02 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
It's not that easy. A foundation is supported by footers which are slabs of concrete buried deep enough in the ground to get below the frost line (42 inches in the north). If you dig four feet, you will probably go below the depth of the footers. This is probably an impossible task unless you literally have the house temporarily moved off its current foundation and rebuild it.
2006-07-21 15:24:47 · answer #1 · answered by taxmannyc 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
No, you would need to put in a new foundation, shore up the house while you do it all and then pour new walls, it's not very easy and if done wrong can cause more problems than you can imagine. Plus, digging in 4 feet is tough, you can't stand up straight and getting a piece of equipment in there will be all but impossible. The other thing is who knows what your soil consistency is, which could make putting in a basement even harder for some types. You're best option would be to have a architec and concrete contractor come over to discuss your options.
2006-07-21 11:07:51 · answer #2 · answered by vonwasden 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u would need to jack up the house, remove the old footer and foundation, dig a new foundation and footer, and then relocate the building back on the new foundation....and dont forget ur permit!
lic. gen. contractor
2006-07-21 12:08:56 · answer #3 · answered by bigg_dogg44 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋