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When to Backfill Foundation Walls
Allow Concrete to Fully Cure before
Backfilling Foundation Walls
By: Mark J. Donovan
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When building a new home or home
addition the question frequently comes up on how soon can I backfill foundation
walls. The backfilling of foundation walls should ideally be done only after the
concrete has had time to fully cure. Concrete foundation walls are defined as
being 75% cured after 5-7 days, and fully cured after 28 days, under ideal
temperature conditions. The definition of ideal temperature conditions is above
50 degrees Fahrenheit.
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only after the 28 days have passed, assuming ideal temperatures. Though
many contractors would argue that it is not necessary to wait the 28 days,
it is at this point that the concrete reaches its full hardness. If you are
building foundation walls with a 3,000 psi rated concrete mix, and decide to
backfill the foundation walls after just one week of pouring the concrete,
the concrete strength is only at a level of 2,250 psi. |
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By backfilling
foundation walls too quickly you will run the risk of cracking the foundation
walls.
| Ideally it is best to backfill foundation walls after the
concrete has had 28 days to cure, the basement slab has been poured, and the
first level flooring framing has been installed. By pouring the basement
slab and capping the top of the foundation walls with framing, you provide
lateral support for both the base and top of the foundation walls. Combined
with waiting the full 28 days for the concrete to cure, you significantly
reduce the risk of cracking the foundation when you backfill the foundation
walls. |
Photo By Mark Donovan |
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So push back on your contractor when
he is pressuring you to backfill foundation walls. The pressure that is
associated with the soils pushing up against the foundation walls is enormous
and by backfilling to soon, particularly if the basement slab is not poured and
the foundation not capped, puts the foundation walls at significant risk of
being cracked or even worse, pushed off their concrete footing pads.
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