[fakie99]

I've got a small porch project coming up (6x4', block w/mortar and slate, zone 5 so alot of frost heave, therefore full 42" concrete footer req'd).

I would like to maybe look at doing these smaller types of ourselves rather than a concrete company - so I'd like some advice. First, when the 42" deep trenches have been dug, do i need forms on the sides of the trench, or can the concrete be poured right into the excavation? do i need a pad at the bottom? i can't see how forms would ever be removed, unless the trench were way overdug. Thanks for the help,

[agla]

You can pour into the trench. It is nice to form the top so that you have nice edges and something to screed off of. Just make sure you have a somewhat flat bottom, so that the footing does not act like a wedge and sink over time.