Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - concrete foundation issues

Hi everybody,

I need to build a 2.5'x4' wall but the issue is that the space where the wall needs to come is between a concrete patio and basement entry door. the previous wall was made of cinder block with out proper foundation and has collapsed exposing a huge gap under the patio where I can see extensive soil erosion and water seeping through the gap. I need to put a new wall with proper drain arrangement to reduce the hydrostatic pressure against the house foundation ( I will also need to put a French drain to take care of the water coming there in the first place). My problem is to lay a new wall I need proper foundation but given the location I am unable to dig at all, is it possible to cast a foundation by driving in just the rebar below the frost line (28"), constructing proper metal mesh and pour concrete, I plan to just have a 6" to 10" high foundation and the lay concrete block over it even though I prefer to have the wall poured in.

Raj

Are you saying that you can't dig because you don't want to disturb the patio? Can you post some pics to photbucket?

http://s737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/novice_DIY/

How did you bypass minimum 25 character post rule?

Sorry, the first time around I missed the 25 character post requirement. I have tried to take the photos to depict what I am dealing with, as can be seen there is very little space for me to dig deep as there is the concrete pad on one side and the steps and landing on the other. Can somebody please advice me the best way to build a retaining wall were the old one existed.

concrete foundation - location 5 picture by novice_DIY - Photobucket (http://s737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/novice_DIY/?action=view&current=100_0927.jpg)

concrete foundation - location 4 picture by novice_DIY - Photobucket (http://s737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/novice_DIY/?action=view&current=100_0928.jpg)

concrete foundation - location 3 picture by novice_DIY - Photobucket (http://s737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/novice_DIY/?action=view&current=100_0929.jpg)

concrete foundation - location 2 picture by novice_DIY - Photobucket (http://s737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/novice_DIY/?action=view&current=100_0930.jpg)





Thank you,

Raj

There is enough room to dig. All the loose stuff has to be chopped & removed first. Going down 28" is a piece of cake. I work with a guy who could dig that far in 4 hours.