Another foundation question

[dbhansen]

The footer is 12" deep by 16" wide (which leaves 4" on each side of the cinderblock wall). I used a single row of 2x4's to create a form for the top edge of the footer, but otherwise I just poured it right into the clay, with 2 courses of rebar. I had a cement truck come in for that (1.25 yards).

I will be pouring the 5.5" slab on top of (and somewhat into) the block wall, even with the outside edges of the wall. The top of the slab will sit about 2" above grade. A mason friend recommended the block wall, and I thought it might be cheaper (with fewer wheelbarrow trips) than pouring the whole thing, and no forms to rent. The trade-off was a lot more labor (with 114 blocks to set in mortar), but I rather enjoyed doing the wall, and it gave me some masonry experience that I can probably use later.

I had zero masonry experience (though I had worked a little with concrete), but the library and this forum was a good place to learn.

I'll post those pictures tonight.

[dbhansen]

I've never posted pics before, but here goes....

[mfiore]

Man, that's one big hole!!! Did you dig that by hand?

[thebadger]

dbhansen,

Your process looks very similar to mine... I didn't go as wide but I poured a footer then just dry stacked the blocks.

Hoping to pour my hearth this weekend.
Dick

[mfiore]

Dick, how did you get to the bottom of your trenches to level the footer?

[thebadger]

Mfiore

Very carefully... kidding.

I dug everything by hand - probably about 16 inches wide - just enough to get in with my shovel. I just got the bottom as level as I could to the depth I wanted. I then built a "grid" on top with 2x4 that was my "true" level. I then uses a long "screed" to ensure that my concrete was level throughout the trench 6+" thick. All in all I was only off by a 1/4 an inch or so.

Hope this helps.
Dick
Again, you can do it all with concrete but I liked this method as I was able to to it all myself.

[mfiore]

Clever leveling system! You still had to get into the trench to lay the block, though, correct? Working in a skinny 4 foot deep trench seems uncomfortable, as well as claustrophobic.

[dbhansen]

Looks like a good way to do it, Dick. I'm still trying to figure out what to do with all the leftover dirt from mine; you probably didn't have as much.

I also dug by hand, over several weeks. It wasn't too bad, and there were no rocks to speak of. Mostly solid red clay. But we do have lots of frost heave around here, so I think it was worth it.

Daren

[thebadger]

My boys found out what to do with the dirt - drag it inside the house!

Actually I'm going to install a small "retaining" wall to the left of the oven (hill) on that side. I should be able to get rid of the dirt I had left.

Yes, there wasn't a lot of room to stack the blocks. The tricky part was back filling with dirt as I worked my way up...

I think it worked out pretty well myself. I'm planning on pouring the concete hearth this weekend.

Thanks
Dick

FYI - I just lined the inside with pavers.

[Ken524]

OK, you two guys are nominated for next month's "Deepest Footer" contest!
Nice work guys.

Ken