have piers, need footings...

[dansaintamour]

I recently bought a home in Michigan built on piers (one wall is block). there is a masonary chimney, limiting any lateral movement of the house. I am now digging out the crawel to repair joists. I would like to add a second floor.

Currently there is a finished attic, but I dont believe the existing piers will support the additional weight of a new stage.

I understand it is possible to hand dig a trench footing and use it to replace the piers that are there now.

How is this usually done?


thanks in advance, dst

[roger g]

With great difficullty. It sounds like you already have a lot of work cut out for you what with rotten joists and all.
One way is to call in a house moving company to slide huge beams underneath the house and the jack it up. (and out of the way if you want) The you can dig away to your hearts content and put whatever you want underneath the house then lower the house onto your new walls.
You can also dog under and under your house in stages while putting a secondary support under each area as you go.
I really think you will need help on this one.

roger