Old house no footings

[Ash9090]

hi everyone,
After a bit of help, we’ve bought a Devon longhouse which is 200 years old. It had damp lower walls as the ground level outside was a lot higher than inside so we’ve started to dig it out and put a French drain in. We’ve since found out the original part of the house seems to have no footings. It looks as though it’s sitting on clay. Is this right/okay?
http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/5320726774

 

[bernardgreen]

It looks as though it’s sitting on clay. Is this right/okay?

It was built that way and is still standing after 200 years so yes it is OK.

That said making changes to the drainage around the walls does require expert knowledge as excessive drainage will allow the clay to dry out and shrink. Then the walls may start to move.

My cottage is about 500 years old and has no foundations.

 

[Ash9090]

It was built that way and is still standing after 200 years so yes it is OK.

That said making changes to the drainage around the walls does require expert knowledge as excessive drainage will allow the clay to dry out and shrink. Then the walls may start to move.

My cottage is about 500 years old and has no foundations.

Perfect thanks, all were doing is digging the ground level down slightly ( 400mm ) then replacing with pea shingle so the ground water doesn’t sit against the side of the house. Someone has previously done this but used half bricks and allowed mud and everything else to cover it. Hope this is okay