How level does a footing need to be? - DIY Chatroom

tripower · 05-03-2007, 10:19 AM

I was just looking at the footing laid by my foundation guys for my new garage. The land that it is being built on is on a slight grade. There are several staggered levels of the footing and yet there is also one long side to the footing.

I noticed on this side that it was not completely level and I put the level on it to check this and several of the staggered parts. I am assuming that this is all squared up by the brick and block guy. But just curious, how level do you try to get the footings or is it not that big a deal?

concretemasonry · 05-03-2007, 10:59 AM

I assume you are building a slab on grade and not a footing/stem wall garage. I also assume you are build a stick-built wood garage.

For a slab on grade foundation, the perimeter slab edge on 3 walls should be level and sloping toward the floor drain and/or the front door. Then the drainage is correct and the wall construction can procede normally with one course of block and a treated plate/sill or in the case of a low cost deal, just the treated plate.

For a stem wall construction the top of the foundation walls should be level with the floating slab having a level elevation about 4" below the top of the foundation on the three sides. The fourth edge of the slab should agree with the planned drainage pattern.

Thats about all I can offer without being there and seeing what you have.