Building Homes or Extensions/Making Walkout Basement

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Expert: - 3/11/2010


Question
Hello, I'm looking at the question/answer you did here (http://en.allexperts.com/q/Building-Homes-Extensions-2333/2009/3/Adding-door-cre...) and I have the exact same situation. The difference? I intend to cut out my basement wall which is 32 inches above grade to put in french doors that are 6 feet wide. The contractor I'm dealing with says there's no need to extend the existing footing further. I say that with such a large opening we would lower the frost line a good deal therefore we have to pour additional concrete below the existing footing so that it will still be below the frost line. What do you think? Thanks for the feedback.

Answer
Hi Richard, not necessarily.  If you put a frost wall type of footing on the retaining walls on each side of the opening and at the end of the walkout slab you should be okay.  I hope this information helps, please feel free to write again regarding this or other matters. Sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com

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Bruce E. Johnson

Expertise

I can answer any construction related question in regards to carpentry, concrete, drywall, masonry, structural elements of any type of building, residential or commercial. Interior or exterior.

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Custom Commercial and residential buildings. Churches, theaters, schools and auditoriums. Most recently I am working with the Catholic Church on several design build committees. I have a website related to scheduling and project supervision. Although my expertise is more related to multimillion dollar commercial, educational and theatrical projects my generous credentials in residential and remodelling construction make me a viable source of information regarding all forms of building questions.

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