michael-atl
02-06-2005, 03:07 PM
My house was built in 1936, before building codes applied in this area. I have lived here since 1971, and have extensively remodeled it over the years (I am a home builder). The foundation is rubble masonry, in some areas so close to the clay soil that I can't creep beneath the joists. Under one part of the house there is 7-ft-high utility area where the furnace and hot water heaters are installed. For the most part, this space is merely a hole dug deeper into the clay soil, with no foundation walls. Generally it is quite dry - mold/mildew have not been a problem.
I have ensured that surface drainage (downspouts, etc.) around the house is as good as it can get, with no apparent ponding against the foundation. However, when it rains for a day or so, the clay banks of this hole weep, starting a couple of feet below the surface. This influx is handled by a sump pump. However, after all these years, in some areas the nearly vertical clay bank has started gradually spalling away, getting pretty close, in one area, to the base of the rubble foundation.
I am considering installing a 4-ft high concrete block wall in these areas to stop the spalling. I would use 8" block laid up mortarless using synthetic fiberous coatiing on both sides (I don't remember the name), with a drainage channel behind.
Before I get into this, I am wondering if there is something that can be applied directly to or over the clay - bentonite or something, that would consolidate the soil "in situ" (like the old soil-cement mixtures that used to be used for road substrates arround here)and thus save me the work.
Thanks for any comments or ideas.
I have ensured that surface drainage (downspouts, etc.) around the house is as good as it can get, with no apparent ponding against the foundation. However, when it rains for a day or so, the clay banks of this hole weep, starting a couple of feet below the surface. This influx is handled by a sump pump. However, after all these years, in some areas the nearly vertical clay bank has started gradually spalling away, getting pretty close, in one area, to the base of the rubble foundation.
I am considering installing a 4-ft high concrete block wall in these areas to stop the spalling. I would use 8" block laid up mortarless using synthetic fiberous coatiing on both sides (I don't remember the name), with a drainage channel behind.
Before I get into this, I am wondering if there is something that can be applied directly to or over the clay - bentonite or something, that would consolidate the soil "in situ" (like the old soil-cement mixtures that used to be used for road substrates arround here)and thus save me the work.
Thanks for any comments or ideas.