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What Are Concrete Footings?

Exposed concrete footing

While footings are crucial for supporting your home’s foundation, they are often underrated.

Many homeowners think the foundation alone is important, but stable and healthy footings are essential too.

Footing construction should only begin after soil conditions have been evaluated and the correct depth and width are determined.

If concrete footings are unfamiliar to you, we will help demystify this vital structural element.

What Are Footings?

Each house rests on a foundation, under which there might be a footing. This structural element is formed using concrete and rebar reinforcement.

Footings provide support to the foundation in areas with active soils, where settling is a common problem. They can come in handy for projects such as retaining walls, decks, and pergolas.

Some of the common footing designs include:

  • Stepped footing
  • Spread footing
  • Trench footing
  • Inverted “T” shape footing

Strength, Depth, and Width

Width:

  • One-story buildings: 12 inches wide (on soils with load-bearing value of 1,500 to 4,000).
  • Two-story buildings: 15 inches wide.
  • Stable soils: 16- to 20-inch-wide footings.

Depth:

  • Varies by soil strength and frost line.
  • In winter, extend 12 inches below the frost line or be frost-protected.

Strength:

  • Minimum concrete strength for slabs and foundations: 2,500 psi.
  • Exposed vertical walls: 2,500 psi (3,000 psi in severe weather areas).

How to Build Concrete Footings

Here’s how concrete footings are built.

Digging soil near foundation
  1. The soil is first dug up. 
  1. Next, wooden formwork is set up. 
  1. Concrete is mixed on a clean surface. 
  1. Concrete is poured right into the formwork. 
  1. Refill material or soil is brought to the site.  
  1. The home’s foundation is compacted. 
  1. The concrete cures within a couple of days or weeks. 

Factors That Influence Footing Construction

When forming concrete footings, your foundation contractor will take a couple of things into consideration, including:

Soil Condition:

  • Type and Condition: Different footings suit different soils; soil type and condition affect footing strength and stability.
  • Compaction: Proper soil compaction is crucial, especially if using transported soil as backfill. Loose soil can cause settlement.
  • Pre-construction Evaluation: Have a structural engineer assess the soil to ensure it can support your building. Recommendations may include wider footings or additional support.
  • Soil Replacement: If necessary, replace weak soil with stronger backfill or mix with aggregate to improve bearing capacity.

Moisture Content: 

  • Impact on Density: Soil moisture affects compaction; dry soil clumps and is hard to compact, while soggy soil loses density.
  • Layer Variability: Different soil layers have varying moisture levels and temperatures, affecting load distribution. Ensure the contractor measures soil moisture content before construction.

Worried About Concrete Footing Issues? Contact Foundation Recovery Systems Today!

Foundation Recovery Systems truck ready to help

Understanding concrete footings and their impact on your foundation can be complex, but local professionals can help ensure your home’s stability. Our team at Foundation Recovery Systems is here to assist with any concrete footing or foundation concerns.

Contact us today to schedule a free inspection and estimate. We’ll assess your foundation and recommend steps to ensure it remains strong and stable.

FAQs

Yes, but additional precautions, such as insulating the concrete or using additives to prevent freezing, are necessary when pouring footings in cold weather.

Improperly installed footings can lead to uneven settling, foundation cracks, and significant structural damage, necessitating costly repairs.

Firm, stable soils like clay, sand, or gravel are best for footings, while loose or expansive soils may require deeper footings or reinforcement.

Related Resources

Leah Leitow

Leah Leitow

Content Writer

Leah is a Content Writer for Groundworks with nearly ten years of experience working in the foundation repair industry. Her experience ranges from working with homeowners to find the right solution to training inspectors and staff. In her background as a Michigan journalist, she gained invaluable insight into people's lives throughout our state. Leah lives in metro Detroit with her husband and two sons.

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