The work can be done by the farmer, with the help of his own farm
labor, at times when more important work is not claiming his attention.
Foundations of concrete are indestructible.
At necessary points, remove a few stones or bricks, as the case may
be, inserting short pieces of heavy timber to wedge or jack up the
building. Carefully raise the building, by this means, until it stands
free of all foundations. Remove all the old stone or brick foundation
to be replaced, and set in place the forms for the concrete.
Small buildings can usually be raised high enough to allow working
room, whereby the form may be filled right up to the top with concrete.
The mixture should be a wet one. (Proportions, 1: 2: 4.)
Where buildings are too cumbersome to be raised by “jacking,” to a
sufficient height to give head-room, it will be found necessary to make
the foundations 3 inches wider than the sill. Carry the forms to the
desired height and utilize this extra 3 inches of width for placing the
concrete in the forms. The top board of the forms may also be left off
until you are ready to place the last of the concrete. In this case the
last batch of the concrete should be very wet. Tamp the concrete until
it comes up flush with the bottom of the sill, to the entire width of
the wall.
Be sure to leave a space in the concrete wall, under and on the sides
of the underpinning support, so that the building may later be lowered
back onto the new foundation and the timber removed. This opening must
be slightly larger than the underpinning support. After the building
has been lowered fill these openings with concrete. Lower the building
after the foundation has been in two weeks.