foundations

Hello, First time post. I have put my questions in bold as appreciate this is a beefy post. I convinced myself and everyone else that I could dig and pour footings on a rear single story extension. Long story short, when the brick layer said “fill her up” I genuinely filled the footings to...

I’m looking to fill in the cavity for my door threshold. I’ve read that I should be using a lean 1:8 cement, aggregate mix for foundation level strength however there is no mention of sand. Some other sources quote a 1:1:2 mix for this purpose. Should there be sand in the first mix? Which would...

Hi All, Went to the basement to check the state of things recently (rarely go there..) and along crumbling render on basement walls to be re-done I noticed this floor joist which in most places does not rest on the wall anymore. For one moment I could not believe it is mean to be supporting /...

Hi all, I'm new to this forum and looking for some advice I'm preparing an area for a patio. Iv already done half and did a full on concrete foundation but I now need to extend it. I want to avoid the hassle of mixing concrete this time and I have a load of spare 50mm concrete slabs which I...

I'd like to build a medium sized (let's say 4x3 m) room at the top of my garden where there's currently the wreck of a shed. The area is at the top of a slope. There's also a drainage ditch for the adjacent farm field on the other side so the area sits on a sort of plateau. I guess this is...

Hello, I bought a new build (yes I know I know, we are both physically disabled and did not have choices) Bungalow that down the side has a steep incline toward the side of the property. As usual asking the developer for help is a non-starter. There is no option to grade away from the...

Hi, We had a big flash flood and a hole has opened up in the floor at the edge of the house -outside (see photos). Luckily no water entered the house. Two of our block paving bricks seem to have disappeared down the hole (house was built in 1987) Any thoughts on how I should repair? Should I be...

Hi, One of my projects for this year is a Garden Office and Recording Studio. With the 2.5m height restriction, I'm thinking about digging down say 1m to gain some extra headroom. The walls will be post and beam. Is this likely to throw up any problems? Also, possibly as a future addition. I'm...

Hello everyone! We've had a garden office put in and are unsure if what the guys have done will last or not. There are already several cracks in the concrete and bits that are over hanging. I'm no expert at this but it doesn't feel like it's been done properly so would be great to get someone...

Interested to know your recommendations on the following scenario: I have planning permission to build an oak frame garage which will be built on a brick plinth which would go onto a strip foundations. Garage dimensions: 7m x 5.5m ridge height: 4.3m I’ve just been figuring out where existing...

Hi, I am in the process of doing a garage conversion. There is a gas meter on the inner side wall of the garage with the gas pipe going straight down into the ground. The pipe must lead out of the garage but don't know where. It is likely it goes straight out either under the side wall or...

Hi All Cellar of Midterrace Victorian (likely 1905 ish), not used for anything at all (currently empty) other than hosting the electric board and meter. We're having the front repointed, should we seize the opportunity to repoint the cellar too? One guy said he could render + put insulation, I...

Hi everyone, Completed the dig on a 3m single-storey extension today and came across a drain that runs a way we weren’t expecting. Seems to serve as a rainwater waste but not too sure if that’s all it is as there’s another clay pipe behind it that seems to run down (done my best to draw it in...

I was always fixed on laying beams along the 5.8m length.. however, that just seems like trouble. The supplier says they're about 250kg each, and will be awkward to get in. So two options. Which is easier???? 1. Lay them the other way, at 3.8 metre lengths, and cut pocket holes into the...

I'm making a blockwork building at the back of the garden (12.5m2). I have a rectangular trench fill foundation (c20). It will hold a cavity wall of dense and light blocks. Unfortunately, I wasn't accurate and a part of my foundation narrows. I figured it would be simple to dig out this...

Hi I am hoping you can help me with some independent advice regarding footings that have been dug for a single-story extension at my sons property. Due to a neighbouring tree roots, we have been advised by the council to dig extra deep footings for the foundations, I'm afraid I don’t have the...

I'm building a 5x3m 2.5m high single skin concrete outbuilding. It will act as a gym. I'm looking for advise with the foundations. Based on Structure: Approved Document A the width of the footing is advised to a be a minimum width of 250mm and depth of the excavation 450mm based on my wall and...

Hi, I'm coming to the point where I will actually need to get some concrete in. I like the idea of volumetric concrete so that I pay for what I use. I need about 1.2 cubic metres of concrete and will have to barrow it. Having phoned a few people up there seems to be a big difference in price...

Hi Everyone – first post here. Been looking at your forum for a while now and its given me lots of really useful advice. The specific advice I am after here is around the footings and oversite element of the proposed build below. Situation I’ve gained planning permission to build a 8m...

Is it acceptable to build ext. wall on upturned blocks like this to get them up to the right height? They are laid on the foundations. Dont want structural problems down the line.