Hi. First time on here, so excuse if in the wrong place! I recently installed decking, this requiring quite a degree of soil removing adjacent to the house. Anyway, having dug down pretty much to what appears to be the footings, (slight even lip of about 3 inches, several courses below damp course), my question is as follows. Do I have to back fill over the footings or can their top surface remain exposed? Weed membrane and the decking itself sits above currently. As I say, I am assuming this ledge to be the footings, although they are perhaps not more than a foot or so down. My hope is that, as cured concrete of 60 years plus, I can leave it exposed!
(Footings exposed) Below Old Ground Level (Ed.)
- Thread starter Steady-On
- Start date
You can dig down to it, alongside it, but not below the level of its base without taking precautions.
But... ensure that water can't collect on it and freeze. Frost damage to the concrete and the lower bricks could cause them to pop apart over the years.
But... ensure that water can't collect on it and freeze. Frost damage to the concrete and the lower bricks could cause them to pop apart over the years.
Thanks Ivor. (Love the username)! Judging by the wording it sounds like you may be speaking from a position of sound knowledge. Although the brickwork below DPC is exposed, it is free draining as vertical. The ground below the deck, at most, sits level with the lip of the footings. Thanks for your reassurance.
There are lots here who know way more than I do. I'm just an enthusiastic property-hacker!
Take some photos, let us have a look.
Take some photos, let us have a look.
The concrete will be fine. As long as the ground beneath is stable all will be ok.
The concrete and bricks will be ok in hat respect. If cold temps were an issue for (long cured) brickwork and concrete, then were in a lot of trouble, lol
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I was just concerned in case the concrete happens to be shaped like a funnel that would actviely direct water into the bricks, so it would wick up then pop them, as happens in lots of houses of all ages.
There again if so then this would have already been happening underground, but exposing it could make it collect water more readily.
Very unlikely the concrete would be damaged, just being cautious about saying it's all fine without seeing it.
There again if so then this would have already been happening underground, but exposing it could make it collect water more readily.
Very unlikely the concrete would be damaged, just being cautious about saying it's all fine without seeing it.
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