Replies

1. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | May 14, 2012 10:12am | #1

   Michael,
   You've got a major problem on your hands.

   The correct solution is to lower the grade by at least 18 inches.

   If circumstances don't allow you to lower the grade, you should hire a house-moving company to jack up the house so that the foundation can be raised 18 inches.

2. 
   9woodworks9 | May 14, 2012 10:28am | #2

   Thanks but that's not going to be an option of house raising. The house is 24 years old and only one spot has rot from improper grade sloping to the house. I have 2 inches of insulated R 10 drain board which should carry any water load to the base of the basement wall. I know they build homes of pressure treated wood foundations..not good but I still need an option ?

3. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | May 14, 2012 10:33am | #3

   Michael,
   Can you lower the grade?

4. 
   9woodworks9 | May 14, 2012 10:39am | #4

   No I can not lower the grade... They make a PVC panel as well very expensive but not sure how well that might work ?

5. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | May 14, 2012 10:48am | #5

   Michael,
   It's one thing to engineer an All-Wood Foundation on a new house, using pressure treated lumber, pressure-treated plywood, stainless-steel fasteners, many truckloads of below-grade crushed stone, and a well-engineered underground drainage system.

   Trying to solve a problem with a 24-year-old house that has been mistakenly backfilled 10 inches above the sill is an entirely different matter.

   I think you are making a mistake. I advise you to lower the grade or jack up the house.

6. 
   9woodworks9 | May 14, 2012 10:55am | #6

   thanks for your help ....

7. 
   DRKdesign | May 16, 2012 12:01am | #7

   Michael
   Why not just build a retaining wall to stop the soil just short of the wall, creating a space between the wall and the soil. That way you do not have to worry about the potential of any wood-to-ground contact.