Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

If you're a jack of all trades and enjoy doing everything around your home, chances are you are considering building your own home. One of the main parts of your home is the foundation. Use your skills in conjunction with our article to learn how to pour a concrete foundation for your home or other premises.

Steps

1. 1 Choose the depth of your foundation.
   • Low foundations about 3 feet (0.9 m) deep. Deep ones are used in unfavorable conditions (loose soil, house on a slope). Typically, more complex structures are manufactured by licensed contractors or engineers.
2. 2 Plan your foundation using specific building codes. Don't forget to get all the necessary building permits and licenses.
3. 3 Clean and level the foundation area. You need to remove grass, roots and any debris.
4. 4 Dig ditches for your supports.
   • Supports should be about 2 feet (0.6 m) wide. Leave 2 feet (0.6 m) on each side for workspace.
   • Build a concrete foundation that can support the planned structure. The higher your building, the higher the foundation should be and the more complex its shape. Before starting work, check your local codes and regulations to ensure that your walls are at the correct height.
5. 5 Make a shape for the foundation using 2 x 10 planks.
6. 6 Mix the concrete and fill the foundation walls.
7. 7 Place gravel, sand, or crushed stone on the floor of your foundation. Spread it evenly.
8. 8 Install a vapor barrier before pouring concrete.
   • Check local building codes, you may need to install a vapor barrier under a layer of gravel or sand.
9. 9 Place mesh and reinforcement on top of the vapor barrier. Calculate thickness, width, and other factors based on local building codes.
10. 10 Mix the concrete and pour the foundation. Smooth out the concrete with a rake or shovel. Make sure the concrete is evenly distributed over the entire area of ​​the foundation.
11. 11 Level the concrete with a long piece of plank. Work from end to end. Move the board back and forth. The movement will be similar to that of a saw.
12. 12 Finish off the top of your foundation by finishing it to the smoothness you want with a trowel or rule.
13. 13 Install the anchors in the cement while still fresh. This will later help connect the walls to the foundation.

Tips

• Decide if you need additional elements (drainage, fireplace), this should be done before pouring the concrete. Such features must be taken into account before starting work.
• Start with small projects, fill in the foundation for a barn or gazebo. Once you have mastered the basics of foundation work, move on to larger and more complex projects such as building houses.

Warnings

• Be sure to check with a licensed technician or engineer if you have problems with any of the steps. Consult when you are unsure whether your violation could cause critical errors in the construction of your foundation.
• Unevenly distributed sand or gravel in your foundation can cause cracking or breakage in your concrete foundation. Do not leave large irregularities in the filling height.

What do you need

• Rake
• Shovel
• Roulette
• Concrete
• Water
• Crushed stone, sand or gravel
• Vapor barrier
• Wire mesh
• Armature
• Foundation anchors
• Putty knife
• The rule