Al Massey Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 Hey all, I have an extension on the side of the house and eventually we would like to extend upwards to create another room. I'm guessing when the extension was built originally, the foundations were most likely built just for the ground floor. There are no plans for the build originally though, so how would this be checked? Or would it be a case that the foundation would be suitable? I have no idea on this obviously. Cheers Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibby Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 Dig around one side and corner. Measure how deaep the foundations are Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibby Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 Just don't dig the entire length. Eg like 2/3 foot long against the wall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inazone Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 How long has the extension been there, as you can cross reference against the building regs at the time. Although when my dad built his about 35 years ago, the house footing was only 18ins. For the single storey extension he had to go down to 4ft! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inazone Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 Apparently he can go up to the same height of the current building. I suspect you will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mk4Gaz Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 Depending on when the extension was built, and what the regs were then, you may be able to build straight on top of what you have. A trial hole would have to be dug, to prove the depth. If the regs have changed, you may have to underpin it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rider Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 When I built a single story extension in 1992 the foundations needed be sufficient to take a two story build. So the extension had 4 foot footings when the house itself had 6 inches. The easiest way to check is as others have mentioned, dig a small trench alongside the wall and see how deep things go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tintinmt Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 Building control will want to see the evidence of; or sight of, the existing foundations at some point I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibby Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 Yes they will.. Speak to your local building control officer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkddav3 Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 Grab a shovel and dig down the side of the extension to expose the foundations. And don't stop till you find the bottom of the concrete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted April 14, 2017 Author Share Posted April 14, 2017 Cheers for the tips guys. Hopefully the foundations are enough for extending upwards. Don't want the extra cost of ripping down and rebuilding lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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