How to install walls and floor in existing dirt cellar

[CJH366]

I have a small, single story ranch house with a dirt cellar underneath it that was dug out long after the house was built. I haven't measured it exactly yet, but it is afairly small area; approximately 8 ft wide, 10-12 ft long and 7-8 ft deep with a small conxcrete stairwell. I already know that I am going to have to install permanent jackposts under the footers if I leave it as it is. With the escalation of severe weather that requires being underground in this area, I am considering putting in real walls and a floor rather than the posts. What is the best way to go about installing these in an existing dirt cellar dug out underneath a house? Which is more feasible to use for the walls, poured concrete or blocks? And how should the walls be reinforced with either of the two? Thank you.

[pushkins]

Either way you look at it this type of project should be completed by a specialist. What needs to happen is a set of footers has to be dug down , concreted and a block wall installed on top of these new footers, the problem that arises is that in digging these new footers you run a very serious risk of weakening the existing footers. The house would need to be supported while all this work is going on, then gently set down on top of the new wall regardless of block or poured.

[CJH366]

Re: How to install walls and floor in existing dirt cellar

I figured as much. The cellar was dug out between the footers. The dirt walls are about 3 ft beyond the footers, so the footer is still supported as of yet. But I know with erosion and time that the dirt will start giving way. I was going to install jackposts under the footers, regardless. Afterwards, I was going to level the dirt walls and dig the base footer around the perimeter, then form up the walls and reinforce them with screen and rebar and actually pour the new walls directly up to support the floor joists without touching or moving the old footer. The walls would actually be inside the existing footers. Then I was going to either install drainage tubing, or pour the floor with a very slight drop for the sump pump. Either way, it's going to be a LOT of time {which I don't have much of. lol} consuming work, so I am probably going to have to hire it out anyway. Thank you very much for taking the time to answer me.