I am a little confused about footings and foundations

[David Pant]

According to code can someone explain the requirements on footings and foundations for 1 and 2 story homes.

The way I understand it is a 1 story home must have a footing of 12" wide and at least 12" below the frost line.

A two story home must have a footing of 12" wide and 18" below the frost line.

Thanks
Dave

[Bill Smith]

The soil type may affect the width of the footing. Different soil types will bear differently. Where the house is located (affecting the depth of the frost line) is also a factor. Hope this helps.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

You really should list your location in your profile. Most of CA requires footings to be a minimum of 18 inches deep.

Your location is not listed on your website either, nor is a phone number for that matter.

[ROBERT V. YOUNG]

here is a link.
It is dependent upon soil weather zoning but you will get it.
We are not code inspectors remember.

http://www.helphive.com/advice-cente...dation-part-1/

[David Pant]

Thanks guys and I know we arnt code inspectors but I have pretty much put all of my eggs into this home inspection business and am very dedicated to being successful and doing a good job.

As of now I could do inspections because in Michigan there is no requirement. However I live near the Indiana border and they do require a license and you have to pass the NHIE test to get it. I am confident in doing inspections now but want to be honest about my credibility and credentials before I start doing them. So as of now I haven't done any type of marketing or advertising.

I really need to pass this test on the 1st shot and if I dont then I will have to sell more stuff heh. I will read that article from the link and hopefully get a better grasp on the subject =).

Again thanks for the help.

Joining InterNACHI has proven its worth already!

Dave

[Tim Spargo]

nachi.org/education is a great resource.

In my building and safety departments... there are handouts for typical construction TYPES and Drawings of each, you could pick some up and learn the different requirements for the areas you are to be working in.

You can also find information on the web, go to a new construction site (tricky) and see how different types of foundations are built.

Many portions of the home's foundation are concealed from view upon inspecting a finished home... you will need to learn to be able to properly inspect and discern other indicators of these items as well the Standards of Practice (ours or your License Boards) that will describe how and what you are looking at. Most cracks mean little...others mean alot... couple this information with other methods.

There is a lot to learn... it's not an easy way to make a living and you are asking people to trust you with what is likely to be there largest purchase. Learn all you can to do a good job for them, it reflects on you AND our trade!

Good luck!

[Darin Redding]

Excellent post Tim.

[David Pant]

Heh thanks Tim!

I think I can do this. I worked in contruction for 8 yrs and learned a lot from that and have always been the guy my family would come to for anything built.

I have my degree in computer science and when I took this on I knew it couldnt be worse than that! lmao

I will say though that at first I thought this would be easier than it is and I can already tell that ongoing education is going to be a staple in my success.

Right now with the way the job market is and nobody going to pay me hardly more than minimum wage as a computer scientist in my area I think I found the right path for myself.

Dave

[ROBERT V. YOUNG]

Originally Posted by dpant

Heh thanks Tim!

I think I can do this. I worked in contruction for 8 yrs and learned a lot from that and have always been the guy my family would come to for anything built.

I have my degree in computer science and when I took this on I knew it couldnt be worse than that! lmao

I will say though that at first I thought this would be easier than it is and I can already tell that ongoing education is going to be a staple in my success.

Right now with the way the job market is and nobody going to pay me hardly more than minimum wage as a computer scientist in my area I think I found the right path for myself.

Dave

Mr.Pant.
I have built and repaired for over 34 years now.
I am not trying to be smug but, when I look back at my life experience in the field, I was only getting grounded on the singular trade after 10 years.
Its what 3 years of labor first?
2 journeymen trades and 1 apprenticeship with every-other trade mixed in.
I wish you the best mate.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by dpant

The way I understand it is a 1 story home must have a footing of 12" wide and at least 12" below the frost line.

A two story home must have a footing of 12" wide and 18" below the frost line.

Footings (bottom of excavation) must be at least 12" deep, 6" thick, and must extend below the frost line (not 12" below the frost line). That's the IRC rule.

The width is based on the load bearing value of the soil and the type of siding and is specified in Table R403.1.

[David Pant]

Well Robert construction is similar to home inspections where things change and there is always more to learn.
I agree the first 2 years were doing mostly labor haha!

However the experience in construction has taught me far more than I realized. While taking my courses to learn the home inspection trade I ran into several things that made me think "who doesnt know this!". I dont think your giving yourself credit for how much you do know compared to the average Joe, let alone your average client.

I bet I was the only computer science graduate in the decade that owned a router not to mention $30,000 in other tools lmao! You ask them and there is no such thing as a router thats used for wood. A router conntects computers to a network!!! haha

Dave

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by dpant

I bet I was the only computer science graduate in the decade that owned a router not to mention $30,000 in other tools lmao! You ask them and there is no such thing as a router thats used for wood. A router conntects computers to a network!!! haha

Dave

I also have a BS in Computer Science. Crawling under houses pays more (or used to).

[Preston L. Halstead]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

Footings (bottom of excavation) must be at least 12" deep, 6" thick, and must extend below the frost line (not 12" below the frost line). That's the IRC rule.

The width is based on the load bearing value of the soil and the type of siding and is specified in Table R403.1.

Don't follow this first rule whatsoever. Never seen a 6" thick footing, but what do I know.....

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by phalstead

Don't follow this first rule whatsoever. Never seen a 6" thick footing, but what do I know.....

What do you mean, "don't follow"? What is it that you see?

[ROBERT V. YOUNG]

No I as not saying this to imply anything but to show you that it is a never ending learning cycle.
You will be good and that experience will help you excel faster than someone without.
I was just being relative in the experience issues you pointed out.
With me its technical language that I lack.
As to the consumer they know little and that is where your professional, sales, technical language, business entrepreneurial etc skills will be developed with residential building inspections training.
I though it helped but was I in for a surprise ( that's me ) I am still at it and see it never ending.
Good luck , you will be fine.
YEA !!!