Expert: Michael Hughes - 3/6/2008

Question
I am adding on to my raised foundation house, I would like to do a concrete & block footing, but I am getting mixed stories on how thick the concrete should be poured. I would like to pour a footing 12" wide by 6" Deep, then use masonary block to build the foundation wall. For an over all hieght of 30". Is this to california building code standards?

Answer
Typically you footing is 2x the width of your block so if it is 8" block your footing will be 16" wide. The depth of the footing is typically 1/2 the width so in this case it would be 8" thick.
This all supposes your architect/ engineer has assumed a soil bearing strength that is consistent with a standard footing.
Hope this helps.