Steps to Building a Better / Cost Effective Foundation

  1. Footers
    2.
    1. Forming/Trenching
      2.
      1. Install french drain/positive drainage when forming footer before block is laid & gets water away from foundation.
        2.
      2. Advantages: It's easier to do a better job, hole stays dry, water has some place to go, block is kept clean, aggregate is in place for subgrade, mason is 10"+/-higher. Now aggregate is in place with bigger machine - costs less.

        3.
  2. Mason
    3.
    1. Strike/Tool - Outside of foundation like inside (no parging)
      2.
    2. Footers kept clean
      3.
      1. After first course is laid - sand inside and outside of footer. This makes footer easy to clean.
        2.
    3. No coping/cove on footer.

      4.
  3. Brickledge
    4.
    1. Use solid concrete brick to close in.
      2.
    2. Clean excess mortar from ledge.
      3.
    3. When mason returns to install brick veneer on first course/brickledge, spread mortar & place straw in mortar and lay brick. Do not strike/tool this joint. This lets any water out that gets behind brick.

      4.
  4. When to call T-n-D
    5.
    1. The day the mason finishes foundation
      2.
    2. Before lumber and carpenters come when possible

      3.
  5. Steps to be taken after waterproofing is complete
    6.
    1. 8" to 12" of 2B aggregate added over top of bottom of waterproofing
      2.
    2. Straw or soil cloth installed over top of 2B.
      3.
    3. 8" to 1" of suitable dirt/backfill over staw or soil cloth.

  6. After house framed and sufficient weight is on foundation remove any building materials/trash from ditch. Backfill with suitable dirt to the brickledge.
    7.
    1. Advantages
      2.
      1. Mason is not working over open ditch
        2.
      2. Waterproofing has less possibility of being damaged
        3.
      3. Foundation over dig has longer to settle

        4.
  7. About Bulkheads
    8.
    1. With so many first floor garages, high bulkheads are necessary. Another way to do this, which I think is better all around, is to use concrete lintels.
      2.
      1. Advantages: Cost effective, lintels cost less than the cost of concrete and lumber/labor to form
        2.
      2. Waterproofing can be done straight through and under lintels making for a better job
        3.
      3. Less chance of damaging french drain pipe in this critical area under the garage floor.
        4.

The above procedures/comments I have found to help build a better foundation and make everyone's job a little easier, & saves money.

Thank you,

Art Hawk, President
T-n-D of Pittsburgh, Inc.

4114 Old William Penn Highway, Monroeville, PA 15146 - (412) 374-1330
Copyright © 2006 T-n-D of Pittsburgh, Inc.

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