how to attach an addition?
 

We will be buying an older home in Florida. It's on concrete slab, with
stucco'd cement block walls. Basically, it's an L-shape and I want to
extend one leg of the L. I can envision how to do much of this, but seek
advice on how to tie in the new to the old.

1. How should the new slab be connected to the existing slab?
2. How should the new concrete block walls be connected/tied to the old
walls? (Which is effectively at the corners of the old wall.)
3. Any tips on how to make the stucco match (texture, continuity) so it
doesn't appear to be separately applied?

Especially for the first 2 questions, if you also have any recommendations
for books that would be a good reference I would appreciate hearing them.

Thanks.

I know I'll need to get permits, etc., of course. And I may use some subs.
But I may well do some or much of the work myself, which is why I asked the
question. I'm not getting the cart before the horse; I want to be sure I
understand the entire job before I embark.

"Joe Bobst" wrote in message
...
You may need to get your horse out in front of the cart on this project.
Before starting work you need a building permit, and to get that you
likely
will be required to submit plans and specifications. And to get those you
will
need an architect or structural engineer. Having permits and plans you can
get
bids. Then review the proposals, do the usual research on the competency
and
quality of the bidders and select your contractor.
Visit some construction sites, spend time in your local library, collect
as
much info as you can. Then ask the people involved in your project to
answer
your questions. HTH

Joe

"BobAtVandy" wrote in message ...
I know I'll need to get permits, etc., of course. And I may use some subs.
But I may well do some or much of the work myself, which is why I asked the
question. I'm not getting the cart before the horse; I want to be sure I
understand the entire job before I embark.

"Joe Bobst" wrote in message
...
You may need to get your horse out in front of the cart on this project.
Before starting work you need a building permit, and to get that you
likely
will be required to submit plans and specifications. And to get those you
will
need an architect or structural engineer. Having permits and plans you can
get
bids. Then review the proposals, do the usual research on the competency
and
quality of the bidders and select your contractor.
Visit some construction sites, spend time in your local library, collect
as
much info as you can. Then ask the people involved in your project to
answer
your questions. HTH

Joe


I think his main point, which I agree with, is in most areas you will
need plans from a licensed architect to get the permits. The plans
will show how the foundations and structures are connected.

In article , BobAtVandy
wrote:

We will be buying an older home in Florida. It's on concrete slab, with
stucco'd cement block walls. Basically, it's an L-shape and I want to
extend one leg of the L. I can envision how to do much of this, but seek
advice on how to tie in the new to the old.

You ARE going to need professional contractors to help you with some of
this stuff, if only to make the project safe and permitable.

Nevertheless, here is what we did on our addition (all work permitted
and performed by professional contractors).

1. How should the new slab be connected to the existing slab?

Slab & footings need to be engineered to support the weight of the
addition. You may need a soils report to ensure that the ground beneath
is stable. After that, drill horizontally into the existing slab; holes
about 12-18" deep, 1/2" dia, every two feet or so, for rebar
connectors. Epoxy a 5-6 foot length of rebar into each hole. These
connectors stick out into the new slab three feet or more, where they
tie into the new slab's rebar grid.

2. How should the new concrete block walls be connected/tied to the old
walls? (Which is effectively at the corners of the old wall.)

Ours was a stick frame house, so my answer doesn't apply.

3. Any tips on how to make the stucco match (texture, continuity) so it
doesn't appear to be separately applied?

We paid our plasterer extra to put a new color coat on the entire
house. It might cost an extra $1000, but will be worth it. No plasterer
can match existing stucco color OR texture _exactly_. You can buy
paints to match the new stucco, but every time it rains you'll see the
seam.

HTH

-Frank

--
(email: change out to in)

Great, thanks. That gives me an understanding of tying the slab. Can
anyone else comment about connecting the cement block walls?

"Frank J Warner" wrote in message
...
In article , BobAtVandy
wrote:

We will be buying an older home in Florida. It's on concrete slab, with
stucco'd cement block walls. Basically, it's an L-shape and I want to
extend one leg of the L. I can envision how to do much of this, but seek
advice on how to tie in the new to the old.

You ARE going to need professional contractors to help you with some of
this stuff, if only to make the project safe and permitable.

Nevertheless, here is what we did on our addition (all work permitted
and performed by professional contractors).

1. How should the new slab be connected to the existing slab?

Slab & footings need to be engineered to support the weight of the
addition. You may need a soils report to ensure that the ground beneath
is stable. After that, drill horizontally into the existing slab; holes
about 12-18" deep, 1/2" dia, every two feet or so, for rebar
connectors. Epoxy a 5-6 foot length of rebar into each hole. These
connectors stick out into the new slab three feet or more, where they
tie into the new slab's rebar grid.

2. How should the new concrete block walls be connected/tied to the old
walls? (Which is effectively at the corners of the old wall.)

Ours was a stick frame house, so my answer doesn't apply.

3. Any tips on how to make the stucco match (texture, continuity) so it
doesn't appear to be separately applied?

We paid our plasterer extra to put a new color coat on the entire
house. It might cost an extra $1000, but will be worth it. No plasterer
can match existing stucco color OR texture _exactly_. You can buy
paints to match the new stucco, but every time it rains you'll see the
seam.

HTH

-Frank

--
(email: change out to in)