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If you are sure it is wood, and not concrete that has taken the appearance of wood that was against it, then yes it needs to be removed. It will only cause problems once it starts to rot.
Concrete Footing with Wood
I have a footing under a window that I need to pour. It looks like the previous owners used wood frames to pour concrete, but they left a rectangular hole behind. I took out the wood frames that were on top, but there's another layer of wood underneath. It runs around three sides of the hole. The wood is stuck tightly in the concrete and partially buried, and I don't think I will be able to get it out. Is there a problem with just pouring the concrete over the top of everything? Or is this something I need to take care of before pouring concrete?
![Water Fluid Wood Tints and shades Rectangle]()
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Yep, I just need it to be floor, so I'll fill it and level it with the existing floor.
I think I see another layer of wood below. Just install some rebar pins and pour it.
Curious though, why was it made?
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The wood was left becuse it was trapped, ignore it, maybe add some rebar dowels so the new floor stays level with the old.
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I'm not sure why it was made. I've dug down and there's no second layer of wood, just the three pieces left lining the hole. I could cut them out, but it would take a while and I was just wondering if it was necessary. From the first comment it sounds like I'm better off just removing them and pouring after.
I haven't really done concrete work before; do I just drive the rebar pins into the dirt until they are just below floor level, then pour?
No, you drill some 5/8 holes with a roto-hammer and epoxy some 1/2 inch (#4) rebar into the holes.
Inside form boards are very hard to remove.
If you did nothing it would probably still be ok (probably)
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if there is wood it has to be removed
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Maybe before we get excited about wood under the floor, we might consider how long has it been there and what problem it caused.
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If that lower section is gravel, a sawzall would cut those sections out, if not, a little more knowledge of the sawzall would help, and a pry bar, they should come out. Will eventually rot.
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Why would it rot, no air. If it did rot, who cares?
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Ever see what termites do under concrete to get to some food, it's impressive.
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We always get it out too, but many foundations we build on are installed by others, and when we get there the gravel is inside and we don't see what they have left behind like that.
Before that gravel is in the exterior drain, some plumbing and waterproofing is done and inspected.
If the inspectors don't catch it or care about it, I am not digging down to find it.
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So, when it is all eaten what happens?
Agreed, and I'm not sure about the Frasier river valley but Seattle doesn't have to many problem bugs.
Might be a problem for the OP though.
Wood wedges, sawzall and big pry bars. Oh, also towels for wiping the sweat off your face.
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Lack of thought when building the forms, if you learn to fight the fight to get them out then you figure how to build things so they will come out.
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