Concrete Footing PSI

[Pettrix]

I've used 4,500 psi concrete footing mix on my previous home I built and it worked great. I talked with some contractors who only use 2,500 psi concrete footing mix and years later, wall cracks happen.

4,500 psi mix per yard = $130 yard
2,500 psi mix per yard = $110 yard

Let's say 30 yards were used for the footings. That's only a $600 savings and could make the difference between a solid home vs issues with movement/cracking.

I don't get it but that's how some contractors save money but going back trying to fix a failing footing will cost thousands of dollars.

 

[Paddy]

Pettrix,

check codes first. But The point of a footer is to spread out the load. So increasing the width is also a big driver. Use well placed rebar on chairs with minimum overlaps. And make sure concrete is not poured on lose/soft soil. A poured wall will act like a beam vs. CMU wall, and can span weak spot soil conditions.

In the rainy midwest, there is always risk of water filled trenches between digging and pouring. Try your best to having the footers dug and poured with out rain.