Sunday, March 20, 2011

How-To-Foundation


Building a proper foundation is the first start to a solid wall. Just like your home. A house can't stand without the foundation. Everything above depends on it! When you set out to build your foundation take these steps:

1) Start by digging off the top layer of sod. Dig till you reach good solid earth. Eye up your stones to determine the average size. Such as the wall above I had stones ranging from 4-6 inches. I dug out to 6 inches - allowing for the ease to dig more as needed per stone.

2) Use a string line on stakes or you're A-Frames to mark out your footer. Be sure to make sure this is level- Unless you're doing a stepped foundation. (stones will still be level but stepped)

As shown above this foundation is for a standard 4 ft high KY wall. The foundation is 34 inch allowing for a 4 inch protruding. A foundation should match our grade level seen below.

3) The A-Frames are built out of a 1x4. Why you ask? Well the best part of this A-Frame you just set up your strings on the outside for your foundation. Then when you're ready to start building your wall. You then move your string lines to the inside of the frames. You can also build your A-Frames out of 2x4's they will hold up longer.

4) You want to find the largest flattest stones to help lay out your foundation. No wobbly stones. Remember length in, Also pack the inside with the biggest stones to smallest. Your stones should go into the wall min of 8". A 12"-15" stone is a much better choice.

5) Keep your stones as close to the string line without touching as you build.If your foundation is not solid, level, packed properly- your wall could be a structural failure! Take the extra time to make it right.

If your foundation is not solid, level, packed properly- your wall could be a structural failure! Take the extra time to make it right.



Notes: Not all foundations will protrude from your standard wall. Styles, techniques, stone etc will vary from site and or region ......etc

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