Footings
Spread Footings
Spread footings provide a stable base or platform that prevents the house from settling into the ground.
| The wide base (width) helps create a large area to transfer the weight of the structure to the ground and prevent the structure from sinking. The thickness of the footer provides the footer with the strength needed to support the weight of the structure. In modern construction, a footer is usually 16 to 24 inches wide and 6 to 16 inches thick and made with poured concrete that is rated to withstand 2,000 to 5,000 pounds per square inch (psi) of compression pressure. The dimensions of the footer may vary according to the soil conditions under the structure, the weight (or load) placed on the footing and construction style of the home. Other footing materials used are wood, crushed stone, blocks (granite) and field stones. |  |
| A continuous spread (or strip) footing is usually found around the entire perimeter of the structure to support the weight (load) from the exterior or foundation walls. In areas subject to seasonal frost, a footing must be placed below the frost line to prevent frost heaving that may lift and damage the footing and structure. |
Pad Footing
A pad footing is like a spread footing but it is usually used to support a single point of contact, such as under a pier or post. In modern construction, a pad footing is usually a 2-foot by 2-foot square pad, 10 to 12 inches thick and is made with poured concrete that is rated to withstand 3,000 to 5,000 pounds per square inch (psi) of compression pressure.
