Tips for Garage Foundations

As with any construction, a new garage foundation is essential to the strength of the building above: A good foundation will survive for many years, but one that is badly built can lead to several problems in the future.

Laying the foundation for a garage is rarely thought of as a DIY project since it involves the careful design, respect for local codes, and consideration of potential applications for the final area. During the foundation stage of the garage, features like a filtered drainage system and radiant floor heating must be implemented. Along the process, expect inspections as well.

Basics of Garage Foundation
Typically, a poured concrete wall or concrete block foundation is used to build garages. Footing trenches are first dug below grade in accordance with code after the ground has been cleared or scraped. According to Jack Farrell of J.P., “In our location, we’re aiming for at least 48 inches of frost protection from finished grade to the bottom of the footing.” Farrell Building in Ashland, Massachusetts

Farrell creates a 6-foot-wide trench by digging footings that are 2 feet wide, plus 2 feet on either side for working space. He constructs footing forms out of 2 x 10-foot planks, which are removed once the concrete hardens. To indicate where wall forms will go, he then draws a central wall line on the footing.

Typically, the size of the structure above determines the height of the concrete foundation wall. “We seek for an 8-inch foundation wall for a single-story garage,” explains Farrell. “A foundation wall of at least 10 inches would be needed for a two-story building.”

While mechanical vibration consolidates the concrete to remove gaps and air bubbles that might weaken the concrete, steel reinforcing aids in the foundation wall’s ability to withstand stress. To fasten the garage walls to the concrete base, anchor bolts have been placed. Local code determines the placement and quantity of anchor bolts on the foundation wall. Insulation is frequently used by Farrell at the inner edges of walls.

A concrete slab is poured and shaped inside the foundation frame after the footings and foundation walls have been installed. This slab can be laid over a compacted subgrade that may contain sand or gravel, depending on the area and the garage designs. On the subgrade, insulation and a vapor barrier are frequently installed, with steel bars and wire mesh serving as reinforcement. Before the slab is poured, any drainage pipes or radiant heat tubes are installed and secured to the wire mesh. To allow for drainage, the slab should be slanted from the back to the garage door, advises Farrell.

Consult a foundation expert
Find licensed foundation specialists in your area and get free, no-commitment estimates for your project. Check out https://rlmretrofitfoundation.com/ for Foundation Inspection Redondo Beach and repair concerns.

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