Contractors regularly look at the basic U.S. residential concrete foundation as being a three-day process. Excavation, footing forming and concrete placement on day one; wall forming and concrete ...

Question: I believe I read in ACI 332 that footings are to be a minimum of 2 inches outside the face of the wall sides and the IRC states 4 inches. Which one is right? – Concrete Contractor (Alabama).

A concrete footing. Even though the concrete hardening (technically known as curing) process begins quickly, you should leave the posts undisturbed for at least two days after pouring the concrete.

In construction, “a firm foundation” is no cliche. It’s a matter of tradition, good technique and honoring the building codes. How well the structure will stand–and stand up to time and ...