Hi! I have a summer cottage situated on sloping ground. On the lower side, one of the foundation blocks has shifted and no longer supports the cottage. No other block has moved, and where the shifted block stood, the ground has "moved a bit." Now it hasn't moved for several years, neither the cottage tilting more nor the ground continuing to move.
This summer, I plan to prop up the cottage. Partly to raise it the small amount it has settled since it was built, maybe half a decimeter, and also to set up a new foundation where the old block has come loose.
My idea is to build with Leca blocks and to set up two blocks instead of one. Are there any issues with building up blocks with Leca blocks? The slope is quite steep where the block came loose, so it needs to be about 1.5 meters high. I guess it's not the "absolute" best method, but for me, as an amateur, I've gotten the idea that it's the simplest way. First, lift up the cottage with jacks, then lower it onto the new Leca blocks. Once that's done, also lift the cottage in the other corners.
This summer, I plan to prop up the cottage. Partly to raise it the small amount it has settled since it was built, maybe half a decimeter, and also to set up a new foundation where the old block has come loose.
My idea is to build with Leca blocks and to set up two blocks instead of one. Are there any issues with building up blocks with Leca blocks? The slope is quite steep where the block came loose, so it needs to be about 1.5 meters high. I guess it's not the "absolute" best method, but for me, as an amateur, I've gotten the idea that it's the simplest way. First, lift up the cottage with jacks, then lower it onto the new Leca blocks. Once that's done, also lift the cottage in the other corners.
What does the ground look like where you're going to place your lecablocks? Is it soil/clay, stone, or rock? Does the surface slope there as well? Assuming since "where the foundation post that moved stood, the ground has 'shifted a bit'" that it's soil/clay that has moved?
If under the soil/clay you have rock that slopes there, I would probably dig it clean, drill a few rebar into the rock and cast a foundation you can place the lecablocks on. If it's stone, clear away debris and cast a foundation. If it's just soil/clay, you'll need to dig down to a frost-free depth and cast a foundation. The main thing is that the ground for the blocks is level and you eliminate the risk of the ground moving again.
Whether lecablocks are suitable or not, I actually don't know, but they do build houses with them, so maybe it should work? I don't know how much load they can withstand... There are both solid and hollow concrete blocks you can buy otherwise.
A couple of pictures of the site always help!
If under the soil/clay you have rock that slopes there, I would probably dig it clean, drill a few rebar into the rock and cast a foundation you can place the lecablocks on. If it's stone, clear away debris and cast a foundation. If it's just soil/clay, you'll need to dig down to a frost-free depth and cast a foundation. The main thing is that the ground for the blocks is level and you eliminate the risk of the ground moving again.
Whether lecablocks are suitable or not, I actually don't know, but they do build houses with them, so maybe it should work? I don't know how much load they can withstand... There are both solid and hollow concrete blocks you can buy otherwise.
A couple of pictures of the site always help!