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Groundwork & Foundations
2 story extension in winter
Anonymous user 28 February 2024 - 3.33 PM
Greetings, I would like a 2 story extension crossing my rare property. I have a couple of questions if someone can help?
1. There is a lean conservatory in place, is the conservatory foundation reusable for new extension?
2. There is public sewer pipe crossing my garden, and I did measure at manhole, the depth of pipe is 1.5 m, and extension will not cross the pipe but near, may I ask some suggestions about the foundation depth and width requirement? for future satisfactory.
3. is there any problem to start work in winter? I was suggested that frost/ice weather may impact work quality? May I ask some suggestions? or is building control inspector will also monitor if winter weather impact building quality?
Many thanks for your kind suggestions.
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
Hi,for you first question
the conservatory foundation is not reusable for new extension.
The foundation for the new extension have to be the same bepth as existing house
The conservatory is not likely to have a suitable foundation as it was most likely to have been sufficient only for the conservatory. Having said that it depends on when it was built and who built it etc as it is vaguely possible they are reuseable. The only way to check is to dig down and have a look to see if they are the same as the house foundations.
The sewer can be dealt with by building and doing footing accordingly. If you have to bridge them or do the footings differently the planning folks will tell you.
Foundation depth is dictated by various things and the planning folks will be the ones to tell you what depth to go to. The deepest I have done is about 2m and the shallowest about 700mm. You will be in the middle of these I expect.
There is no reason not to start in winter as there are ways and means of dealing with the weather. From adding chemicals to deal with the cold to covering it up to protect it from frost and rain... There is always a way.
You might find it harder to find people willing to work rather than being able to work.
The only real answers will only come from your Local Planning Authority, so it is them you need to talk to.
