Hello! I have a lousy kitchen entrance on my small house built in 1908. I want to tear it down and build a new larger entrance. The problem I am considering is that the new structure would be over a dug stone-lined well, which is right at the edge of the old entrance. (The foundation is a bit on one side of the well.) What should I do? Fill it in? Leave the well and have a hatch in the floor!?
I also wonder if I can build the new foundation parallel to the old basement wall that is under the main house. That is - basement under the main house but only crawl space foundation on the new extension/kitchen entrance. Grateful for an answer.
Maggis57
I also wonder if I can build the new foundation parallel to the old basement wall that is under the main house. That is - basement under the main house but only crawl space foundation on the new extension/kitchen entrance. Grateful for an answer.
Maggis57
Byggnadsingenjör
· Skåne
· 1 458 posts
You don't mention if the well is water-filled or not.
If you plan to build over the well, it's important that the extension's foundational structure is designed to be self-supporting over the well since it is not made to bear the weight of a building. Even if you fill in the well, the bearing capacity is not completely guaranteed.
It's also important to consider moisture issues if there is water in the well. Even if you fill it in, there will still be liquid at the bottom.
I think you should discuss this with a structural engineer who will need to review the rest of the structure in the extension anyway.
If you plan to build over the well, it's important that the extension's foundational structure is designed to be self-supporting over the well since it is not made to bear the weight of a building. Even if you fill in the well, the bearing capacity is not completely guaranteed.
It's also important to consider moisture issues if there is water in the well. Even if you fill it in, there will still be liquid at the bottom.
I think you should discuss this with a structural engineer who will need to review the rest of the structure in the extension anyway.