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How to Backfill Foundation Walls
Backfill Foundation Walls after they are Fully
Cured using a Coarse Grained Soil
By: Mark J. Donovan
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Foundation walls are the unsung
heroes of a quality built home. They can make, or literally break, a home if
installed improperly or are damaged during the backfilling process. Knowing when
and how to backfill foundation walls are extremely important bits of information
to ensuring that the foundation walls are not damaged.
Wait to Backfill
Foundation Walls
First, the backfilling of foundation
walls should be delayed until the concrete walls are fully cured.
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By definition concrete is
considered to be fully cured after 28 days of ideal temperature conditions,
the temperature being above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, backfilling
foundation walls should also not be performed until the basement slab has
been poured and the foundation walls have been capped with the first floor
framing.
Once the foundation walls are
fully cured, have been properly sealed, and the insulation, utilities, and
perimeter foundation drainage system installed, the foundation walls can
then be backfilled. |
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How to Backfill
Foundation Walls Properly
The proper backfilling of foundation
walls is critical in the prevention of foundation wall cracks and other
structural damages to the home.
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To properly backfill a foundation wall coarse grained soil should be used.
It should be first dropped, versus pushed, into place around the corners of
the concrete foundation walls. Once the corners of the foundation walls have
been evenly backfilled, the sides can then be filled in.
By dropping the soil gently into the void around the foundation walls,
versus pushing it into place, the risk of putting too much rapid pressure on
the foundation walls is reduced.
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Photo By Mark Donovan |
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It is important to recognize the fact that soil is extremely heavy, and when it
is pushed up against the foundation walls it creates an incredible amount of
lateral pressure. By backfilling too soon, or without the basement slab poured
and the foundation walls capped, this lateral pressure can cause the foundation
to crack, or even worse, have the foundation walls slide off of their concrete
footings.
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So when your contractor begins the
process of backfilling your foundation walls, make sure he has waited sufficient
time for the concrete to harden, that he uses coarse grain soil, and that he
works carefully. By doing so, you will reduce the risk of having to deal with
future water problems in the basement and explaining foundation cracks to one
day potential homebuyers.
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How to Build,
Maintain and Backfill Concrete Foundation Walls
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