Newbie question here:
If my local codes in massachusettes say that the wall must extend to more than 4 feet below frost line, does that mean the footing only needs to be deeper than 4 feet, or does the base of the poured wall need to be lower than 4 feet? IE for a 10″ thick footing I’d have to dig 4′-10″ to be up to code? This doesn’t make sense, but it’s what the guys in the office claim….
-D
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Replies
If my local codes in massachusettes say that the wall must extend to more than 4 feet below frost line, does that mean the footing only needs to be deeper than 4 feet,
We would keep in mind that you have about 8" of foundation above ground per code. So if soil conditions are right, you could do an 8" footing with a 48" wall above & you would have 48" below grade to meet frost requirements.
Around here we follow the 2003 IRC code book, its a good investment & an EZ read & only cost $42.00
With your 4'10" you should have an extra 2" to spare. Hope it all works out 4-U!
"If my local codes in massachusettes say that the wall must extend to more than 4 feet below frost line"
I doubt that it actually says that?? :)
I'm sure what they mean is that the bottom of the footing must be 4 feet below ground level, to be "below the frost line". The bottom of the wall itself has nothing to do with it.