Repair foundation or replace building

[Cat_Driver]

Another option would be to dig HOLES down directly under the foundation
foundation maybe 4 per side and build a concrete form ( or use a sonotube ) but continue up and envelope the existing foundation ( inside and out side) sorta like a LOCK.

Thus will require no jacking and you will establish 8 deep fresh pylons filled with rebar etc. for the foundation to rest on.

Further you could trench from pylon to pylon with a cable to keep the pylons from spreading outward.

 

[bennelli25]

How much more do you think it will sink? Will it just stop sinking once it compacts the soil enough?

 

[2manyrocks]

The problem with true clay is it's squishy and doesn't really compact.

What kind of water drainage do you have around your quonset hut?

Your main problem looks like a fairly heavy building sitting on a 2 foot high x 6" concrete beam resting on clay.

What is the freeze thaw cycle doing to it over the winter?

 

[bennelli25]

The ground is sloped away from the building so it is dry most of the time.

The freeze thaw cycle does not seem to affect that building very much. I'm not sure how far down the sand and gravel goes but that buidling doesn't seem to have any problems with the ground heaving. I have two other buildings that are affected by the frozen clay shifting things around. I'm sure there is clay below it but i'm not sure how far down I need to go. They may have have dug it out below the frost line and filled with sand from the lake to create a floating slab. They had an abundance of sand from dredging out harbors from the lake.

 

[2manyrocks]

Looking at the first picture of the corner of the building, the concrete itself looks like it is weathering away. Is the concrete solid or do you think it will break up pretty quickly with a demo hammer?

Then you get into the question of what it costs to pour all new concrete to the proper width and height versus putting up a pole barn that doesn't use as much concrete. Then if you can re-sell the hut to recapture part of your expense, then that maybe points to a new pole barn. Would a new pole barn be more functional to your use?

 

[bennelli25]

I think it will break up pretty quickly. I will just need to cut off the J hooks and either pull it out or break open a crack. I'm not too worried about getting the old concrete out.

If I can get the foundation fixed this building will meet my needs for a long time. I don't want to put all the work into fixing the foundation and then have the same problem 10 years from now. I only want to fix this foundation once. If it cannot be fixed in a way that will last a long time then I'll just pile dirt up and save for a new building.

I was planning on doing the following for a new base.

1. tear out the old concrete
2. Drill holes into the existing slab for rebar that will extend one foot into the old 6'' think slab and run all the way out to the end of the new foundation.
3. Pour a new foundation that extends 12 inches out from the existing wall and is 1' thick. So the total width of the new foundation will be about 20 inches wide, 1 foot thick, 53 feet long
4. In the new foundation place rebar vertically to tie the new wall into the new foundation.
5. Pour the new wall with J hooks to bolt the wood frame onto the wall.

I have not done alot of concrete work so I'm not sure if that will be wide enough and think enough to support the weight. I also don't want it to crack off again one foot inside the wall where the new rebar stops.

 

[magicheater]

Would you provide a photo of the entire building so we can get a better perspective? I have tried repairs of similar nature and have had limited success. From my experience and the fact you do not have a lot of concrete experience yourself I would probably shy away from throwing too much money and time at the project. Here is an idea: Take steel fence posts (old if possible) and sink 6" away from the exterior of the wall, say every 6 feet. Wire rebar to the tops, excavate down as far as you are comfortable, say 12"-18", form up (1' thick) and pour each side making sure the top slopes away from where the metal ends. Keep in mind that this is a bandaid. I saved a large building this way but on a larger scale and dug down with a backhoe to below frost level and formed up using pallets with plywood tops set at an angle so the base was wider than the top. Good luck with your decision!!

 

[copytmpmzl]

I've had alot of different opinions from my friends and family so I thought I would throw out the question on here.. I have an old 34x54x20 quonset building that is in need of some repairs. The building is from the 50's and there are a few things wrong with it. The short list is as follows.

1. Leaky roof, we have tried many times to fix the leaks but the temperature extremes in minnesota cause the seams to fluxuate quite a bit between summer and winter. It is not too bad but it is kind of a pain. I'm not too worried about this as I can keep replacing bad nailes with screws and eventually will fix most of the leaks.
2. The galvanized tin is partially rusted on about 1/4 of the building. I can put special primary on to help stop the rust from getting worse and prolong the life of the steel.
3. This is the part I'm really worried about. The foundation was built with two foot (2x53x.5) formed concrete sides to raise the base of quonset frame up two feet off the concrete floor. This allows for more room along the sides but it really puts alot of pressure on the two foot concrete walls. The two foot concrete walls have since broken off from the concrete floor and are now sinking into the ground. They did not use rebar to help keep it from cracking.

So the major question I have is: Should I try to repair the foundation by jacking up one side, pour a new foundation, and repeat the same process on the other side or just scrap the building and put up a new pole building?

The building is nice and big but if I look at all the repairs that need to be made it is getting close to the cost of a new building and foundation repair orleans. I can take down the old one myself. I'm just looking at the cost of putting up a new one on the same location.

Assessing the repairs needed for your quonset building, including the leaky roof, rusted galvanized tin, and the deteriorating foundation, it's understandable that you're contemplating whether to repair or replace the structure. While I cannot make the decision for you, I can offer some considerations to help you evaluate the options.

1. Cost comparison: Evaluate the overall cost of repairing the existing building versus the cost of constructing a new pole building. Consider not only the immediate repair expenses but also the potential long-term maintenance costs associated with an older structure.
2. Condition and lifespan: Assess the overall condition of the existing building, including its structural integrity and the extent of damage. Consider whether the repairs will significantly extend its lifespan or if the building will continue to deteriorate despite the repairs. A new building would likely provide a longer lifespan and potentially require less maintenance in the foreseeable future.
3. Functional requirements: Evaluate your current and future needs for the building. Determine if the existing building meets your functional requirements or if a new building would offer better features, customization, or improved functionality.
4. Time and effort: Consider the time and effort required for repairs versus the time and effort involved in constructing a new building. Demolishing and removing the existing structure, as well as the construction process for a new building, will require time and resources. Assess your availability and willingness to invest in either option.
5. Long-term cost benefits: A new building constructed with modern materials and techniques may offer better insulation, energy efficiency, and reduced maintenance costs over time. Consider the potential energy savings and other benefits associated with a new building that could offset the initial investment.

Ultimately, the decision will depend on your priorities, budget, and the specific circumstances of your situation. It might be beneficial to consult with professionals in the construction industry, such as building contractors or engineers, who can assess the current condition of the building and provide advice based on their expertise. They can help you evaluate the costs, benefits, and feasibility of repairing versus replacing the structure.

 

[EddieWalker]

How old are you and what are your long term plans for the property?

I don't think it would be too hard to replace the concrete in sections, and make it stronger then it was when it was first built, but I don't think I would want to put the time and effort into doing that for a 70 year old building with some issues.

As a contractor, I've been to quite a few homes where people have spent years working on trying to make something work, without success, to finally give up and hire me to fix the problem. In every case, it was faster and cheaper to remove the problem and install something new.

If you fix the concrete, how much will that cost you and how long will it take? Once you've done that, you are still left with a 70 year old metal building that leaks and is rusting away on you. How long will you fight the age of the building before tearing it down and building something new?