[fernwood]

Our front porch is a concrete slab. Underneath it is a stone floored room where the water tanks/pumps are located. The top block has been tilting forward for a while but during a recent rain storm I noticed the second block has a significant leak and I couldn't ignore the problem anymore.

A contractor and separate excavator advised digging out the foundation, putting in a drain pipe, backfilling with gravel. waterproofing, re-doing the block with hydraulic cement etc. My issue is how to straighten and correct the block with the weight of the slab on top of it. The porch concrete slab is also connected to/supporting the roof above it.

 

[Nealtw]

You are getting good advice. Did you ask them about pushing it back? And what did they say?

 

[fernwood]

I did not because the excavator company doesn't do the foundation and the contractor was the first one who saw it. I hadn't thought that far into it yet.

 

[Bondo]

My issue is how to straighten and correct the block with the weight of the slab on top of it. The porch concrete slab is also connected to/supporting the roof above it.

Ayuh,...... Jack it up a tiny bit, with jacks, 'n lotsa blocking,.....

 

[Nealtw]

I did not because the excavator company doesn't do the foundation and the contractor was the first one who saw it. I hadn't thought that far into it yet.

The foundation company would be the people to talk to, Fixing the drainage and relieving that pressure will stop it from getting worse.

I don't know how excited you should be about putting it back in place, others will be along for that. :wink2:

 

[3onthetree]

Your contractor's fix for the water should stop that as long as the drain pipe connects somewhere (you didn't say), but you should double check that the footing (stone floor?) and roof (huge porch/2nd floor?) are not contributing to it from inadequate support or heavy loads. Have you had water issues coming in here, and have you diverted downspouts and regraded away from the porch as starters? Is the tilt the whole length or just a portion where there is a concrete stair?

I see that the lower wall is leaning in, and the fixed top course of CMU must have rebar into the slab. That would create the 'V' shape the hydrostatic pressure has pushed the wall into (also seeing a remnant of the OSB slab form means newer build than a stone floor, which probably means rebar).

My focus on the rebar is getting at what Neal is hinting at. May be difficult just to push back depending on what the solid cores and rebar did. You probably have the main house exterior foundation wall to push against, but can you brace that wall as well. Fun in 1/16" increments.