On Sun, 9 Jan 2011 14:57:27 -0800 (PST), upwardcall
wrote:

We purchased a hundred year old house in NE Missouri a few years ago.
There is a ridge in the kitchen floor. Under that floor is a concrete
cellar that is about 6 feet tall. The rest of the foundation is
probably only 3 feet tall. We've been told the rest of the foundation
has probably sunk but, of course, the cellar portion has sunk a lot
less - leaving us with the ridge.

Any suggestions? If we were to take the drastic choice to raise the
house and put in a new foundation, we aren't sure the house would go
back to its original state intact anyway (as a matter of fact, most
contractors have told us to level and start over instead). Some have
told us to put in several jacks and slowly lift the house. Others
have suggested we just make the kitchen level with the cellar side
(but I'm pretty sure that would mean a step into our living room). We
also thought we could take extreme measures to cut out the concrete
and lower that portion. What would you do?

As a side note we are considering putting an addition on the side of
the house.

Thanks!

What are the walls of that celler made from? If it's concrete block,
cant you just remove the top layer of blocks and replace them with 4
inch blocks or bricks instead of the 8 inch blocks? Just do a little
at a time. If it's poured concrete, a concrete saw might work. It's
probably easier to lower those walls than raise the whole house. If
the house is still good otherwise, why demolish it.

Pictures would be helpful !

Mike