Excavation/building next to pole barn

[ckucia]

Been Googling and can't seem to find an answer - all I get is how to excavate for a pole barn.

We have a pole barn. I don't know how the posts were set, but I assume they're just sunk in the dirt/clay. It sits on the edge of a flat area that drops off on two sides behind it.

Long term my wife would like a greenhouse. The long back side of the barn has good sun and this is one of the sides that drops off. Was thinking that attaching the greenhouse to the barn would be one less wall to build and access from the pole barn would be something of an air lock rather than having the greenhouse door right into the outdoors.

But ideally, we'd build the greenhouse on a short block wall, possibly partially below ground. Depending on how deep we went, that could put the footer next to and possibly below the level of the bottom of the posts at the back of the pole barn.

So I'm curious if you can excavate next to a traditional pole building foundation for a traditional foundation and, if not, if there's a recommended distance away.

 

[jhark123]

I'd go for the free standing greenhouse myself considering humidity coming off a greenhouse. I think you can pour next to the pole barn as long as you do not go below the posts. You will likely need extra bracing during excavation and you will have a void to fill under your pole barn slab (cdf?).

Will you be doing the construction or hiring a contractor?

 

[ckucia]

Most likely I'd do it myself.

Hadn't thought about the moisture but that's a good consideration. Although I'm already fighting the constant moisture already. West Virginia is a pretty humid state - we're basically surrounded by water due to the terrain.

One day I'd like to get the pole barn somewhat sealed up and heated so more moisture would then be a factor.

 

[Bretny]

How tall is your building? Taller than the green house i would assume. Your going to shade the one side of the green house a few months of the year minimum. Put it away and in the open. If you want an air lock build one in the green house.

 

[Kevin54]

If you are wanting to excavate next to your pole barn, why not dig down in the area of one post and see how they are set, then plan from there?

 

[kbs2244]

Check your county building department on what the require for pole setting.

Or find the contractor that built the pole barn and ask him how he set the poles.

The drop off may have meant a deeper than normal hole/

 

[rburke65]

They can dig really close to an existing building. They do it all th3 time when the water proof existing foundation walls on homes.