Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 3/4/2009

Question
I live in a small slab home, what i want to do is add on a 10+12 laundry, mud room of the back of my home i don't have room to get any big equipment i the back of the home.  Instead of pouring a footing can i drill piers and then anchor to the side of my slab home i stand about 10" of the ground

Answer
Hi David, even if you do a monolithic slab foundation similar to your house you really won't need heavy equipment for this project.  Basically you would just need to clear the topsoil and sod from the ground and compact it properly with a rented plate compactor.  Then you form the outside edge with a 2x12.  You may need some sand or fill material to build up the interior of the slab a bit but that can be done with a wheelbarrow or for a slab this small you can just fill the whole thing with concrete for that matter.  An elevated pier foundation comes with its own requirements.  Generally speaking most crawl space areas require a minimum of 24" of space underneath the floory system so what you are suggesting will require more work and excavation than a simple slab on grade.  I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com