REEL Remodeling: Support a Foundation Without a Footing (#shorts)

Digging down below the bottom of a foundation wall is risky without adding structural support
May 15, 2023
2 min read

In this quick REEL Remodeling episode, Michael Anschel describes the foundation's footing situation in a 100-year old house in Minneapolis, MN: there is none.

"All right, so we have a unique condition here. This foundation has no footing at all. In order for us to lower the basement floor, we've got to build a structural curb. That's this piece.

We've got some fabric over the earth, which is dug at a 45-degree slope. This allows the foundation to stay stable. Then, we have the curb filled with rebar that comes out into the slab.

This structural slab is going to hold up the curb, which is going to hold up the foundation. So, it's one big structural assembly."

www.protradecraft.com | SUBSCRIBE, please! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-w8-a4UPNynP8v8A4Jlz1w?sub_confirmation=1 The client wanted to dig a foot out of the basement to gain some headroom for living space. Fortunately for the guys with the shovels, the soil in Minneapolis is clean sand. Unfortunately for the contractor, OA Design + Build + Architecture, there is no footing below the foundation wall. Digging below the foundation would not be a good thing for structural integrity, so OA hired an engineer. Pouring a curb inside the foundation wall provides a buttress. The slab between the buttresses will be structural in that it will resist the foundation's tendency to push inward, where the digging was done. It took longer to type that than it will to watch the video. Instagram: www.instagram.com/protradecraft Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/protradecraft Twitter: @TradeCraftsman | twitter.com/tradecraftsman Pinterest: @ProTradeCraft | pinterest.com/ProTradeCraft Subscribe to ProTradeCraft's YouTube channel for regular updates

About the Author

Michael Anschel

Michael Anschel is the founder and president of OA Design+ Build + Architecture in Minneapolis, MN. He is thew star of Building Resilience, a hot YouTube show about extreme climate construction and extreme home comfort.

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