Underpinning a barn conversion

[jad]

I wondered if anyone can help me with some info regarding underpinning a brick built barn conversion - I have dug a couple of inspection holes and found that the building is built directly onto solid clay about 250 mm below ground level (sometimes deeper). The brick "steps out" to make a kind of foundation but there is no concrete underneath.

The building control chap wants it all underpinned. I am quite handy with a digger (we live on a farm) how should I go about it?

[jad]

Perhaps I should ask "do you advise that I do it myself" - appreciate that this is a very important bit of the building!!!! - if it is best left to the pro's can you recommend anyone in the Warrington / St Helens area?

Den[/B]

[lutonlagerlout]

digger wont be much help mate
underpinning normally has to be done by hand
and bloody hard work it is too!
you dig out bays roughly 1200 wide right under the existing brickwork and whatever depth BC want
you then crete these bays individually leaving steel starter bars sticking out of the sides
as you do them you have to drypack or build back up to the existing BWK
just keep going round till the whole house is done
me and 2 mates did a house years back and our hands were cut to ribbons after a week because you are digging underneath something all the time and catching your hands
best left professionals if you have the money
regards tony

[jad]

Thanks Tony - can you recommend anyone in the Warrington / St Helens area?

[lutonlagerlout]

sorry mate i live daan sarf,ask the gaffer he lives up that way
tony mac

regards tony