Tying New Stoop to Old Foundation

5981 Views 2 Replies 3 Participants Last post by jomama45, Jun 12, 2011

project_guy

Discussion Starter · Jun 12, 2011

Hello,

I am planning to put in a new stoop at the front of my house. Dimensions will be approximately 4'x12'.

Frost line here is 42", and the existing house has full basement with CMU construction. Footings are approximately 7' below grade. Cores are filled every 4' with one #5 rebar and a bond beam around the entire top course with 2 #5s.

I plan to dig to the frost line, pour a 16"x8" footing with 2x #5 rebar, and build up to the stoop level with 8" block. I will then fill and compact the interior, and pour a slab over the top. My question is whether I should pin the new footing and block to the old foundation.

I have a couple concerns- if I can't line up with a filled core, I wouldn't want to pin into a hollow block as I worry about any movement in the stoop cracking the foundation.

Also, this creates another entry point for water, as the foundation (built 1950s) wasn't waterproofed well. Soil has a lot of clay in it here and we get a lot of freeze/thaw (I'm in Minneapolis).

The other option I can see is going all the way to the house footing, but this seems a bit excessive. However, I want to do this once and do it right, so I am not opposed to it if it is the best course of action.

So, any advice? Should I rigidly attach the two foundations? I've seen a common failure mode of the stoop tilting out away from the foundation, so could I pin just into the bond beam on top? Any other suggestions as to how others have done it?

I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks!

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jomama45

· #3 · Jun 12, 2011

A few things:

- A 16" x 8" is the bare minimum for an 8" block wall. 20" is always better especially if it's not formed in the exact location, it gives you a little margin for error.

- The foundation depth really can't be determined until you start excavating. Ideally, the backfill aginst the house, after about 60 years, will be extremely firm when you get to 48" deep. If not, it's best to go all the way to the existing footing.

- The bond beam & pilasters would be a good place to dowel into where possible. Otherwise, just fill the jambs where they meet the existing house with grout and a rebar, let the rebar run above the block a foot or so and bend down into the stoop pour later to help hold it all together.

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