Traditional strip footings - water problems

[ioloowen]

Hi

I've started on a small single storey timber frame extension at home. I dug the footings today (700mm cover in hard clay conditions) and uncovered water. I'm not in a high water table area. Initially It was running like a small stream then stopped - the water hasn't percolated. Circa 50mm of standing water.

The proposed location of this extension is at the lower end of a sloping site and could be the heavy snow we had until yesterday.

I've topped the trench with crushed granite mix thus displacing the water. What is the best way forward here if the water remains there tomorrow?

Considering raft foundation or just adding steel reinforcement.

I would appreciate any help.

Thanks

 

[noseall]

Seems to me like you may have disturbed an old terracotta clay land drain.

We have bailed (pumped) trenches that have been virtually full of water no worries.

Don't fret about it now but when it comes time to pour have a hired puddle pump ready to get rid of the water. All you do then is 'bottom up' the trenches then add some dry mix concrete to the trench bottom before the regular slump pour.

Don't forget, concrete loves water.

 

[ioloowen]

Thank you. Been worrying about it all day.

Great advice. Thanks again.