[fakie99]

i'd like to take our first real stab at a block/stone veneer wall and have a couple of questions regarding the footer.

code aroud here (SE Michigan) is 42" footer for anything requiring block/brick/mortar. So I am looking at a footer of 42" by about 15" wide. Question is, when I excavate, do I actually need wood forms in the trench, or can i just pour in the trench without the concrete drawing in too much surrounding ground water? also, does anyone compact the bottom of the trench? and lastly, i am just planning on mortaring the first course to the footer, does anyone use ties/bolts of any kind in a simple wall application (about 4' high)?

i know thses questions may sound a bit elementary, but i want to make sure it's constructed properly....

thanks,

jim

[Bill Schwab]

Jim:


You'll need to ask the building dept. (I'm assuming you will have to pull permits because of the hieght) if they will allow you to trench pour. If so, dig the footing with a 16" wide bucket and pour. I have another idea though. Rather than using block, and taking the time to mortar and scratch coat the wall, why not just form it up and pour the whole wall? Strip the forms and you are off to the races....

If they won't let you trench pour, then you're going to have to open the wall to 3' or so, enough so you can get down there and form it with wood.

Are you required to use rebar? On a 4' wall, we have to place verticle #3 rebar every 16", and horizontal rebar every two courses (16") along with 2 horizontal pieces the entire length of the footing, in the middle of the thickness.

[ianc]

You will have to excavate to provide a minimum of 4' frost protection so I wiould suggest excavating 4' and pour a 4" thick strip footing 18" wide, this will allow for 10" block foundation wall centered on the footing, you have to make sure you plan out when you plan to apply the stone veneer so you can make allowances and changes in the block profile once you break grade - must know where finished outside grade is so there is not to much footing viewable and you also need to configure your inside surface/patio if you plan to tie it into the wall.

attach file