Hi everyone. I need to excavate beside the stacked stone foundation of my house. Has anyone done this, are there pitfalls to look out for?
The reason for the excavation is I need to replace the sill plate on that side of the house. The previous owners ( I have no idea how long this has been like that) had let the side garden build up over time, and the dirt has rotted the plates. I’m not looking forward to the project, it’s going to involve jacks and crawling in the dirt under the house. But, it is a necessary thing.
So, if anyone has advice on digging out right beside a stacked stone foundation, I’d appreciate it.
I did it many years ago on a 150 year old house, but only on the short end. The stones were massive and as long as they had sat there that long, I figured (correctly) that they would stay in place.
I also eventually learned how to build a stone fence with flat stones that was not too bad. In that case, I poured a cement foundation. I had watched an old stone mason build a couple of fences, and learned a lot.
With smaller stones, I’d guess it would depend upon how well they were laid, how long a stretch you have to excavate, whether any stones are lose, and possibly whether they set on a concrete foundation.
In any case, I’d suggest you have a good stone mason at your beck and call, just in case.
As to the jacks, use a lot, make sure they are really set in a steady position, jack them up slowly and gradually, one at a time. Is the wood where they will be placed solid. If rotted, put long boards between that and the jack heads.
Lots of luck!
It wasn’t the dirt that rotted your sill, it was moisture, water. Water is also a problem w/ the stonework. You must make sure you have good drainage when you backfill. If there’s mortar between the stones you might want to have the joints repointed, although I’m guessing that they’re laid dry.
I think I might consider consulting a stonemason before attempting the job, especially if you plan to excavate any considerable amount around the foundation, it could save you a lot in the long run.
Many years ago I worked w/ a guy who installed modern HW heating systems in very old New England homes. Many of these houses had stone foundation w/ large timber sills. We often had to remove dirt from crawl spaces to gain access.