Basement hand excavation and addition

krob33037

Hey so I have a small utility basement that I want to convert demensions are 20x12x6 with half footing walls 4 ft high all around I want to essentially turn it into 37x15x8 cinder lock masonry the house built in 1920 as one room shack

oh'mike

Welcome---go ahead and tell us what you want to do---a picture of the existing structure would help along with a longer description of what you wish to build---

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New members: Adding your location to your profile helps in many ways.--M--

md2lgyk

If I'm reading your post correctly, it seems you want to approximately double the size and depth of your existing basement. That's an awful lot of excavating to do by hand.

krob33037

Call it a workout

joecaption

And what's going to hold the house up while your doing all this?
A pro would do one of two things, lift the whole building with steel I beams, and build the foundation under the house, then set it back down.
Or build a foundation and move the house on top of the new foundation.
The footing for the house and the addition really needs to be pored all at one time. Just trying to do it piece meal is a very bad idea.
If not it will crack, settle and cause major issues in a few years.

krob33037

My thoughts wre to underpin the supporting beams then use Jack columns as I worked

joecaption

Very dangerest way to do it.
It would be like building a house of cards just waiting to top over.

rossfingal

We've done this.
However, - house-jacks, pinning, "needling", and LOTS of timbers were used!
I'm not sure this is a "DIY" project!
Ever seen the result of a whole/partial foundation/wall collapse?!?
Oh - by "house-jacks" - I don't mean "screw-jacks"/Jack columns!

rossfingal

krob33037

Having a friend of mine who is a structural engineer in fl come up to md to look it over this week hopefully there is something I can do I need more space

md2lgyk

There's almost always something that can be done. The question is, how much are you prepared to spend?? Have you considered simply replacing what you have with a mobile home or small modular? Might actually be cheaper.

krob33037

I don't do mobile homes I live in downtown annapolis and am looking to add a bar/ hangout area downstairs and soundproofing it

GBrackins

krob,

welcome to the forum!

smart move on your part to bring in an engineer. that would be my recommendation. they can determine where your load bearing points are, and the best/economical approach to your project. As stated by ross, underpinning a foundation is not your typical DIY project.

Let us know what your engineer comes up with.

Good luck!

__________________
Gary

"You get what you pay for, and sometimes free costs more!"

md2lgyk

Where in the world is there a one-room shack in downtown Annapolis??

This is a perfect example of why it's important to include your location in your profile. Had I know where you are, I would not have recommended a mobile or modular home, as they would likely not be approved by the city. I sure hope you're not in the historic district.

krob33037

Slap dab in the beginning of downtown it was a one room shack back in the day now it's a two story house hey I got a question a. Where in md are you if I needed someone to help me with a few things and b. I'm trying to take an old furnace oil tank out of my basement and have run into a few problems tank dead.empty and light as can be but won't budge any special considerations I need to take into hand?

md2lgyk

I don't live in MD. Did live in the Frederick area for many years, and also on the Eastern Shore (Easton). Now live in Harpers Ferry, WV. But I am strictly a DIYer and not a tradesman of any sort (actually a retired engineer). My wife and I built our log home almost entirely by ourselves so I can offer some enlightened advice, but I don't work on other people's homes.

As for your oil tank, there are probably environmental considerations for removing and disposing of it. I don't know the laws in MD, but it's possible you can't legally do it yourself. I suggest you check with your oil company.