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Digging under the wall

2.5K views 6 replies 4 participants last post by  Blondesense  
#1 ·
I want to dig a 6 foot section of dirt from under my (stone) basement wall, below the frost line. Then I'm going to re-fill the area that was dirt with concrete.

Any risk of the wall collapsing while I'm digging under it, or should it stand on it's own? Would it be worth the effort to pour in sections? What about holding it up with jack posts and just leaving them when I pour the wall? Like really expensive rebar?
 
#2 ·
Why do you want to do this? Are you trying to shore up the foundation? Is the wall or basement floor cracked or sinking? If so, there is a process called "slab jacking" that is used to correct such conditions. Special equipment and techniques are used to basically inject concrete underneath a building's foundation. It is most assuredly NOT a DIY job.
 
#6 ·
what is the stone foundation wall supporting? is it supporting floor joists? roof? gable end wall? stop and think about what is holding up the foundation wall right now?

it can be removed, but only after on-site evaluation by someone that knows (either an experienced designer, building or professional engineer).