Remove Cripple Wall to Raise Foundation?

19 years ago

We have a raised deck off the back of our house that is 3 feet above the ground at the house and ground level 30 feet away from the house.

Between the top of the foundation and the bottom of the first floor is a 30 inch tall cripple wall. The wall extends from the corner of the house for 20 feet (under the 27 foot width of the deck).

We are thinking of replacing the decking with a hard surface patio. The problem is the cripple wall. Do we replace the cripple wall with a concrete extension upward of the foundation...or...would it be better to move 6 feet away from the house and put in a parallel retaining wall that is backfilled on the opposite from the house with a decking material spanning from the wall to the house?

If replacing the cripple wall, does it seem possible to do so in stages..say, four foot long segments so as not have to pull out the complete cripple wall? The thought being having not to provide a vast about of support to a bearing wall...and not to mention replacing a cripple wall all at once is definitely not a DIY project.

Thanks for your thoughts...Casey

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Comments (5)

ron6519
19 years ago
Post a picture, it will help.
Ron
casey_wa
Original Author
19 years ago
Okay...got photobucket figured out, I hope. Here on some photos:

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ron6519
19 years ago
It seems the ground slopes back to the house. I would leave the house structure alone.
I would regrade the area you are putting the patio. Dig out the area as far away from the house as you want the patio. Put the retaining walls at the end of the patio to hold back the elevated soil. Incorporate a staircase to ground level if you need it and put a drainage pipe around the perimiter.
Ron
casey_wa
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks Ron. Yes, the ground under the deck slopes toward the house...one aspect I really do not like. I like your idea. Have to think about how to exit the back french doors onto the patio with a landing and stairs. This weekend I will measure and post elevations to give better idea of what I am dealing with.

Thanks again, Casey
ron6519
19 years ago
To minimize the space the staircase takes up, I would build a small landing and have the staircase run parallel to the house.
Ron