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I have a 2 1/2 car garage connected to the house by an eight foot breezeway. I’ve been wanting to add on over it, and a contractor friend recommended I dig out and check the footing under it first. Didn’t need a big hole since I seemed to be going under it about 12-15″ down.
I assume I can’t build over it.
Was this thing built with a permit? I assume it’s from the sixties (Willistown Township, PA) and would have thought they would have required deeper.
Key question: Am I better off ripping it down and starting over, or digging out and pouring a couple of feet at a time? The roof would come off to add a room over it. Wood siding OK condition. Framing OK too.
Thanks,
Rich
Replies
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What you need is an engineer to do a study / plan for you. The reason your buddy suggsted this is that the weight of an additional story must bear on something. A slab on grade can handle it if the soil is right. Otherwise, a footer creates a reinforced bearing surface for the intended weight. It also gets you below frost depth to prevent movement.
Or maybe a local bldg inspector can tell you what's required for the area.
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I have a 2 1/2 car garage connected to the house by an eight foot breezeway. I've been wanting to add on over it, and a contractor friend recommended I dig out and check the footing under it first. Didn't need a big hole since I seemed to be going under it about 12-15" down.
I assume I can't build over it.
Was this thing built with a permit? I assume it's from the sixties (Willistown Township, PA) and would have thought they would have required deeper.
Key question: Am I better off ripping it down and starting over, or digging out and pouring a couple of feet at a time? The roof would come off to add a room over it. Wood siding OK condition. Framing OK too.
Thanks,
Rich