Building question

[NTRotty]

We have a 1800 sq ft concrete foundation where the previous owners home burned. My question is , can I excvate the old foundation and backfill the area with good soil and let it "rest" for a few years (2 - 3) and come back and build in the same location? I was thinking some soil testing and evaluation by appropriate engineers and may need some piers added for support. In this area concrete slabs is the usual foundation, usually post-tension construction.

Your thoughts and experience.

[WisJim]

I know people who did this with no problems. One of the families backfilled with sand and buried tubing in it so they can store solar heat from the summer to heat the house in the winter.

[ericjeeper]

Originally Posted by WisJim

I know people who did this with no problems. One of the families backfilled with sand and buried tubing in it so they can store solar heat from the summer to heat the house in the winter.

Well in my opinion.. They are fooling themselves..Sand is a ppoor heat storage media.
Think about the beech.Sand on top is so hot you can not stand to have your bare feet on it.. Wiggle them down an inch or two and it is cool.Sand is basically glass.

[Windy in Kansas]

If the existing foundation is in good shape meaning not heat damaged you might consider building on it. That would save considerable expense toward the total cost of the home. If if you had to modify any home plans you had in mind it would probably be well worth it.

I really don't have an opinion as to your actual question but will offer this---In 1972 I installed a fair number of sewer/street hookups. If the home owner would allow me to, I would backfill the trench, after the first foot or two of dirt was added, while a garden hose was adding water which helps remove voids. Almost none of those excavations settles more than a few inches compared to dry filled ones that would sink in for several months. The backhoe had limited hydraulic capacity so tamping with it was nil.

[Wolf mom]

I'd get a construction engineer or someone who knows concrete to see how viable the current slab is.

Many places, if you use the same house footprint the cost of city/county building permits are a lot cheaper as it's considered a remodel rather than new construction. Just some food for thought.

[ronbre]

first locate the original well and septic system, and any electrical wiring..etc..

then do soil testing as well..find out what type of septic system and well were put down and whether they are worth saving..or can be reused..make sure you can locate areas for new well and new septic if the old is not usable..

if all appears safe and a soil test shows no contaminants, then check the foundation for cracks or sagging..check level..and then if all appears well then you can use it to build on if it is the size building footprint that will work out for you.