This is the front porch of a 1957 ranch in northern Ohio. We are planning to bring this porch area into the envelope of the house. I do know there is a full foundation under the front door and back wall of the porch as you see it in the picture.
My question is what’s under the porch?
There must be some type of footer/foundation under the corner since the column supports the hip roof above.
How were these types of porches typically built?
Would the steps have a footer?
Is it correct to assume it’s full of sand/gravel to support the concrete slab?
Thanks!
Edited 7/17/2008 9:11 pm ET by kwik
Replies
The quick answer is to all questions is maybe.
Can you dig down beside the porch and see if the concrete spreads like a footer would?
Id dig at the bottom corner where the post is and at the other corner to see if same or different. that should give you an idea if it atleast has a spread footing. thats not to say that the footing itself if not a "spread" footing isnt wide enough to do as intended.
as far as whats "inside", usually rubble, old busted brick, gravel, etc. any thing to fill it in and save on concrete.
i busted out one that was hollow and full of snakes.
my similar porch deck was poured on a 1/4 steel plate spanning the brick wall.
several ways to build that so the only way to find out is with a shovel.
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Thanks for the response.
I guess digging and breaking some of the slab is the only one way to find out what was done!
It's probably not correct to assume that the slab is filled solid underneath. In MI, the porch is full depth of the basement and typically gets filled with brick and mortar rubble. Often there were steel bands tossed in too. It's kind of a nice place to permanently store your junk. Back in the 50's, it's entirely possible that they were loading it up with scrap wood, which would shrink over time.
The very small concrete slab will easily span that porch. It typcially sits on corbeled brick and the foundation on the outside.
I agree that you need to start digging to determine the footings.
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Termites.
I'm thinkng its Jimmy Hoffa.
I'd rather find Jimmy Hoffa than termites.
The shrine admission could help pay for my remodeling.
Isn't he living in Argentina?
I'll take your word for it.
But, the FBI has a record of tearing down anything in it's way of looking for him. Last year in Mich., they tore down a barn and rebuilt it elsewhere in the search.
I thought he was living in a pile of scrap in rez's backyard.
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Is rez from Argentina?