Retro perimeter foundation advice
Redwood Curtain
| Posted in General Discussion on
I’m in the process of buying a 54 year old 1080 sq. foot house on a post and beam foundation. Before moving in I want to have a perimeter foundation installed – not having done major foundation work before I’ll be contracting out the job. My questions: what sort of specific questions should I be asking contractors? What are the unseen pitfalls? Are there any little extras I should ask for that will make life easier in the long run? I realize that it’s a pretty straightforward job, I’m just concerned about what I don’t know. Thanks in advance.
Replies
Suggest that before you talk with contractors you consult a soils engineers and your BI about the following:
Soil: Look into the load bearing capy of the soil, what its behaviour will be when wet (expansive clays). This will drive your footing and foundation design and the need for more or less steel.
Water mgt.: Look into your lot gradient and runoff paterns. Figure out your perimeter drain strategy, and your foundation waterproofing and backfill method and materials. How much moisture will there be under the slab. Will you need a sump pump well.
Max height: Determine your final sill height and final gradient, keeping in mind that the top of the foundation is related to the max buildout height for zoning purposes.
Utilities: Figure out the height of any under-footing or through-wall connections such as water and sewage. What is the sewer elev. where you will hook up on the street. Will you need a sewage lift station (expensive and troublesome).
Hopefully others will chime in with what I've forgotten.
Thanks - some good advice there. I think I have water management dealt with - I'll get in touch with the BI shortly.