Footings , anyone?

[Terry Coombs]

So the time has come to begin on the kitchen ... and the place to start is obviously at the bottom . I've checked out the web for info on footings for the "cellar" area , and have a good idea of the width needed to support the load according to our soil type (packs concrete-hard if you look sideways at it) but I'm not clear on how thick they need to be . I'll be reinforcing with 3/8 rebar , and pouring them 12 inches wide . They'll be supporting a cinder block wall 8 feet tall and they will be the support for the center section of the 24' double 2x12 main beams . The entire footing will be below the frost line even allowing for the slope of the land . I'll be using a

1:3:3 mix , done on site . Gotta justify that cement mixer I just ordered ... I'm thinking 6" should be thick enough , considering they'll be under block wall and reinforced . But I don't know , and haven't found any info on how to figure that .

[Terry Coombs]

I did a little more digging , found one web site that called for 150mm minimum , which is about 6" . That should work out OK here but I might make them a little wider and use the rewire I have instead of buying rebar . I'm once again getting into new territory here , I've never laid block before . I have done a little brick work , and didn't much like it - I don't expect this to be a picnic either . I do have a neighbor that did it for a living that has offered his help , if he can give me pointers I'll be OK - he's kinda crippled up and I don't expect much actual physical labor from him .

[DanG]

Code requires 2 #5 rebars in footings. I would consider 16" wide for an

8" block wall as minimum. The block should be rebar pinned to the footing on 4' centers. Hand batched concrete is typically 1portland:3sand:5st> So the time has come to begin on the kitchen ... and the place to start is

[bob haller]

check with your building inspector because its really up to him/

you are getting a building permit?

and dont forget anyunderground sewer lines.

adding square footage might require a main service panel upgrade.

and if theres any other issues the building inspector will be looking for them.

like storm water runoff, around here that can require the installation of dry wells for all downspout drains

[Terry Coombs]

What's a building permit ?

The only waste lines are the ones I put in , and they're nowhere near .

This is the 2nd phase of our house project , there's a new 200 amp service panel in the "living room" . Phase 3 will be the bedroom , but that's a couple of years off . We're building this out of pocket , no borrowing .

Out here in the woods we don't have inspectors , codes , or inspections . That doesn't mean I'm not going to do it right , just means I don't have big brother breathing down my neck . There will eventually be gutters and a collection system for rain water , right now that's not part of the plan . And about the reinforcement - those requirements are for "worst-case" situations , which this ain't . 2 runs of #3 will be plenty in this case as determined by the soil type and density . Pinning the block wall is already in the plans , this is also going to be a storm shelter . Also in the plan is rebar in the verticcal spaces of the block at 4 foot centers . Main entrance will be from outside , though there will also be access from inside .