Hi all
Looking to lay a patio next to a 3x3m approx brick single skin extension, mid 70s vintage. I'm being careful as I'm suspicious of the foundation quality and depth, and current working theory is that it is a raft foundation.
I pull up old patio on one side next to it and find this..
Another unused foundation! I think there used to be a wider, brick based conservatory here. They've removed it.. and then made the current extension in a small footprint, presumably reusing 2/3 of the old conservatory foundation. The third wall was moved inwards with new foundation.. and they left the old foundation in the ground.
I've marked in red the old foundation and in orange where the edge of the current foundation is.
I want to lay patio so I need this level reduced but I don't want to disturb or impact the current standing building! I suspect/hope the red area isn't doing anything - I mean it's obviously not sat on it, but it could be acting to take some weight distribution where orange and red meet?
I was considering getting something to slice the red marked concrete and lower its level by 5-7cm. It can then act as sub base for pavers and I'll mortar directly on top. It seems like it goes quite deep - my longest SDS drill bit doesn't seem to go through it into soil - so I'd rather not have to dig it out entirely.
The other option is that I leave it as is, and pave on top - either making that the new level (bad as it will only be a touch below DPC - or making this area into a raised step - not ideal as entire area to pave is 3x3 so it will be awkward.
Any opinions appreciated..!
Looking to lay a patio next to a 3x3m approx brick single skin extension, mid 70s vintage. I'm being careful as I'm suspicious of the foundation quality and depth, and current working theory is that it is a raft foundation.
I pull up old patio on one side next to it and find this..
Another unused foundation! I think there used to be a wider, brick based conservatory here. They've removed it.. and then made the current extension in a small footprint, presumably reusing 2/3 of the old conservatory foundation. The third wall was moved inwards with new foundation.. and they left the old foundation in the ground.
I've marked in red the old foundation and in orange where the edge of the current foundation is.
I want to lay patio so I need this level reduced but I don't want to disturb or impact the current standing building! I suspect/hope the red area isn't doing anything - I mean it's obviously not sat on it, but it could be acting to take some weight distribution where orange and red meet?
I was considering getting something to slice the red marked concrete and lower its level by 5-7cm. It can then act as sub base for pavers and I'll mortar directly on top. It seems like it goes quite deep - my longest SDS drill bit doesn't seem to go through it into soil - so I'd rather not have to dig it out entirely.
The other option is that I leave it as is, and pave on top - either making that the new level (bad as it will only be a touch below DPC - or making this area into a raised step - not ideal as entire area to pave is 3x3 so it will be awkward.
Any opinions appreciated..!
