Should I do a step footing? - Small Cabin Forum

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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / Should I do a step footing?


Author	Message
timber26 Member	# Posted: 1 Dec 2013 11:48am Reply Hi! I am building a small 13X19 cabin with a crawlspace. The hill I am excavating into for the foundation has a 32-35 degree slope. My footings will be at least 2-2.5 feet deep to make sure I am below the frost line. I have two questions: 1) Should I do a step footing? It is the 13' sides of the cabin that will be "stepping" down the hill. OR 2) Is it just easier to make the whole footing a bit deeper in the back so I don't have to do a step footing? Thanks again! Eric

leonk Member	# Posted: 1 Dec 2013 12:34pm Reply so if you start at 2' deep, at the other end of 13' it's going to be 9' deep if you don't do the step? I think that answers the question - do the step(s) or do peer foundation.

timber26 Member	# Posted: 1 Dec 2013 01:10pm Reply Many thanks!

rockies Member	# Posted: 1 Dec 2013 05:51pm Reply Crawlspaces can be a terrible source of moisture and rot problems if done incorrectly. The "buildingscience.com" website has some great articles on what most goes wrong, either with the insulation (where to put it or how), or the ventilation. http://www.buildingscience.com/documents/insights/bsi-009-new-light-in-crawlspaces/?s earchterm=crawlspace http://www.buildingscience.com/documents/bareports/ba-0401-conditioned-crawlspace-con struction-performance-and-codes/view