vicdad999999
12-03-2006, 12:19 PM
I`ve been reading alot of the posts on here regarding digging outside the foundation walls. Ive been currently doing that on an old farmhouse built in 1952. The basement leaks thru the walls in various places mostly where each section of basement was connected. (to try and explain, I have 3 basements. the first one, go down 2 steps to a 2nd basement seperated by a concrete block wall, then down 2 more steps to a 3rd also seperated by a cement block wall with a 2 car garage above the 3rd which floods alot. My question, as im digging out around the foundation to repair, do i have to backfill? or can i extend the ditch im digging around the 3 sides of the house out by 10 feet and lay brick and drainage (sorta like a walk out basement patio)? Or is it imperative that it be backfilled? Im not entirely sure if I explained any of this correctly. Im digging down about 6 feet deep along the entire house. And while doing it, it dawned on me it would be perfect for the patio I always wanted. But dont want to stress the walls by not having the fill in place. Thank you for any reply. And i appreciate your patience trying to understand the question.