Single garage foundations

[craigB]

Hi,

I'm looking to build a single garage approx 12' x 20'.

I'm currently in the process of removing the old concrete base of the previous garage that was long gone before I moved in.

I'm looking to build the garage by digging approx 1' down and pouring concrete in to build the base and then building the garage directly on top. I'm looking to build the base of the garage out of bricks to roughly 2' approx high and then building the rest out of wood. The garage is going to be about 7' high.

My question is will I be OK to build directly onto the base with the bricks or will I need to dig down further to support the weight of the walls?

I have seen a few on here where you build the trench around the garage to support the walls. I have limited room so will be putting the bricks close to the edge of the concrete floor i.e. roughly 1 - 2" in.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[CoopVA]

I would think that you would need some type of footer to handle the weight of a 2' brick wall.

I had to have a block wall built to support my slab. It was three courses high in the front and six courses high in the back. The footers where 1' wide by 1' deep.

You will have to check with your local permitting agency to see how deep the footer needs to be...

 

[craigB]

Thanks for the reply coopVA.

I was looking to put in a layer of single bricks to support but might just go all wood garage on a concrete base and leave the bricks.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm guessing you're calling the footer, the base. The footer needs to be down at the frost level of your area. That's why when asking questions, it's important to have a general location in your profile, so fellow members can give you the best advice.

Most people don't use bricks for foundation work any more. Generally, the stem wall is poured concrete or concrete blocks.

 

[craigB]

Hi Im in the UK, I'm looking to build a concrete base but dont know how deep to go as I will only be making the majority of the garage from wood. The only exception is the lower 12 inches all the way round the garage, where i'm hoping to support the wood walls with a layer of bricks. I was just trying to work out what depth of concrete I would ideally need to support the full structure and if I should go deeper around the edges where I would be placing the bricks.

 

[Notgrownup]

Your ground freezes there so a nice deep footer would prevent it from breaking and cracking... Ask your local building inspection office whar they say...

 

[craigB]

Haha yeah it gets chilly, will do thanks.

 

[Cyberbear]

Like others have mentioned, bricks or block under the walls isn't always the best. Out here on the left coast we opt for monolithic pours whenever possible. Brick and block may just create places for cracks to start, and you should use re-bar everywhere you can, especially at the door opening, and use good quality 6 bag minimum, not that post hole stuff.