We are currently looking at having a new driveway installed. Not sure at this point what type, ideally patterned concrete. My question relates more to the house.
Our foundations are the concrete raft type. The problem is the foundations extend beyond the walls of the house by approx. 1yd. The damp proof course on the house is only 2 bricks above the raft. I'm trying to find out whether it would be possible to cut-away some the raft so the new driveway can go closer to the side of the house. Our neighbours all have left the raft showing or gone over the top of it and reduced the height of the damp proof course to a stupidly short height, neither are a good solution in my mind. It would be a real pain to do, but I'm thinking if it would be possible just to take away the top few inches of the exposed concrete than it shouldn't hurt?
Would we need to involve a structural engineer to gain an answer?
Thanks in advance.
Our foundations are the concrete raft type. The problem is the foundations extend beyond the walls of the house by approx. 1yd. The damp proof course on the house is only 2 bricks above the raft. I'm trying to find out whether it would be possible to cut-away some the raft so the new driveway can go closer to the side of the house. Our neighbours all have left the raft showing or gone over the top of it and reduced the height of the damp proof course to a stupidly short height, neither are a good solution in my mind. It would be a real pain to do, but I'm thinking if it would be possible just to take away the top few inches of the exposed concrete than it shouldn't hurt?
Would we need to involve a structural engineer to gain an answer?
Thanks in advance.