Do footings have to be poured in one go?

Author: Prof. Tressie Feil  |  Last update: Wednesday, June 18, 2025

A footing supporting a point load (column) should be one continuous pour. However a strip footing supporting a wall for example can be poured in sections with joints that are perpendicular to the wall. The joints should be keyed and reinforcing must be continuous through the joint.

Can you pour footings in stages?

When assessing what type of foundation is required a site investigation is required to understand what the ground conditions are. Where possible we would opt for a single-stage pour, as the most effective solution if this is not possible as described above then a two-stage pour might be appropriate.

Does concrete have to be poured all at once?

Want to pour the concrete mix all at once to make the installation process more efficient? You can do that, but keep in mind that pouring concrete in sections (also known as sectioning) has its advantages.

What is the rule of thumb for concrete footings?

For every 2 feet of adjustment to the width of the house, add or subtract 2 inches of footing width and 1 inch of footing thickness (but not less than 6 inches thick).

Can you pour footing and slab separately?

Footing slabs are supported by strip footings. They require two separate concrete pours and can only be used on Class A and Class S sites. One configuration is the footing slab with no connection between the slab and the footing. This is the preferred option because it is simple to construct and relatively economic.

How We Pour Footings and set levels accurately

How deep should footings be for concrete slab?

A minimum of 12”inches deep for all footings and the width will be determined by the amount of stories, 12” inches for a single story, 15” inches for a two story and 23” inches for a three story. This is based on a soil bearing capacity of 1500(psf).

How long can you leave concrete between pours?

Fresh concrete shall not be placed against in situ concrete that has been in position for more than 30 minutes unless a construction joint is formed.....

What is the minimum depth of footings?

The minimum depth of footings below the surface of undisturbed soil, compacted fill material or controlled low strength material (CLSM) shall be 12 inches (305 mm). Where applicable, the requirements of CBC Section 1809.5 shall also be satisfied.

What thickness of footings under columns or posts should be?

Footing thickness - 8 to 12 inches. Footing depth - varies based on frost line and soil strength (some footings can be shallow, while other must be deep)

Should you water concrete after it is poured?

If it loses too much moisture through evaporation, it will not cure properly and will become prone to cracks. Many construction specialists recommend watering it down five to ten times per day, for the first week, starting 2-4 hours after it has been poured.

Can I pour footing and wall together?

In areas with a shallow frost line and stable soil, carefully excavated trenches often serve as footings forms [1], and enable “monolithic” pours, in which footing and wall concrete are placed together.

Why can't you pour new concrete over old concrete?

Bonding restrictions: Concrete is composed of sand and aggregates held together with cement. Since cement lacks any natural bonding agents, newly-poured concrete won't naturally bond to the existing slab. You'll need to either use a bonding agent to adhere the two layers together or use an unbonded overlay method.

How long after pouring footings can you build?

Generally, you can start framing on a poured concrete slab seven days after it is poured. Around this time period, the concrete slab will have reached 70% of its fully cured strength. This strength level is said to be adequate enough to support loads such as the framing for a house.

Do footings need to be perfectly level?

Even the best contractors occasionally have to build on a sloppy footing. Ian Geisler, a noted ICF expert who has worked on hundreds of projects across the continent, says that realistically a perfect footing is anything within ¼” of level. “If it's within ½”, then it's workable,” he writes.

Do footings need to be compacted?

Use compaction whenever the soil is disturbed during construction or when it's used for fill. Compact disturbed soil beneath footings, slabs, basement floors, patios, garage floors, driveways, concrete steps and sidewalks. If a sand, gravel, or crushed stone base is used beneath a slab, compact it too.

What is the maximum spacing between footings?

According to the rule of practice, the minimum allowable rebar diameter in a footing is Ø12 and the maximum acceptable spacing between the reinforcement bars is 150 mm. In certain occasions, the footing may have a reinforcement wire mesh both at its upper surface (see following figures).

What is the standard footing size for a residential building?

Footings shall be a minimum of 8 inches by 24 inches (203 mm by 610 mm) for houses two and one-half stories and less. The footings for a three-story building shall be 10 inches by 24 inches (254 mm by 610 mm).

Do foundation walls have to be centered on footings?

Moreover, the approach is based on the assumption of uniform soil-bearing pressure on the bottom of the footing; therefore, walls and columns should be supported as close as possible to the center of the footings.

How far should footings be in the ground?

Furthermore, you must install footings at least 12” below unsettled soil. If you are building into the side of a steep hill or beside a retaining wall you will have to maintain the minimum distance to grade not only vertically but also laterally.

What is the minimum concrete cover for a footing?

Footings generally have a covering of 50 to 75 mm.

What is the difference between a footing and a foundation?

The footing is what's actually in contact with the ground, while the foundation is the structure that transfers the load to the earth. A simple way to visualize the difference when comparing it to the human body would be to view the footing as the actual feet of the legs and the foundation being the legs themselves.

Is it OK if it rains 5 hours after pouring concrete?

How long does concrete take to dry after rain? Once the concrete has been finished (between 4-8 hours after pouring) and has set hard enough for walking on, the effects of rain should be minimal. The curing process is a chemical reaction, with ready mix concrete taking up to 28 days to fully cure.

Will new concrete stick to old concrete?

Fact: Fresh wet concrete does not normally bond well to existing dry concrete. Do you remember elementary school where one of the subjects on which you were graded was “plays well with others”? Concrete would have gotten an F. There is nothing in basic portland cement that will act as a bonding agent.

How long should concrete footing cure before putting weight on it?

Immediately after leveling the surface, align and inset any deck hardware and then smooth the surface of the concrete. Allow the concrete to cure for one day before constructing your deck or placing heavy weight on the footing (if standard concrete mix was used, wait about 3 days to begin construction).

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