What is the required depth for outside footings when building a home in southeast Kansas with a concrete pad foundation?
Asked by Anny Nærland 
7 months ago
Last Updated: May 16, 2024
Hey everyone! I’m currently in southeast Kansas and thinking about building my own house. I’m considering using a concrete pad instead of a brick foundation. Can anyone tell me how deep I should dig my outside footings, or if I even need footings for a concrete pad in this area? Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!
Even if it’s a brick foundation, you should always have footings. That rule applies regardless of the type of foundation. For example, monolithic slabs that are poured all at once may have deeper or wider sections under the bearing portions.
Hey Brandon, thanks for your help! I was thinking of going with a monolithic slab. Do you happen to know how deep I should dig? I know it needs to be below the freeze level, but I’m not sure how deep that is. I’ve seen different answers online, ranging from 12 inches to 34 inches.
Maybe is talking about a foundation with a double wall and brick veneer!
Have you thought about reaching out to a structural engineer or geotechnical engineer for a foundation design? The size of the footing depends on factors like frost depth, house load, soil bearing capacity, and more. It’s an important aspect that should definitely be included in your plans.
Hey , when it comes to construction materials, there’s brick, block, stone, cast-in-place, pre-formed, slab, and more. It’s all about the semantics and knowing which one is best suited for your project.
Hey , have you considered asking your building official about this? By the way, it’s a good idea to get a permit before you start to avoid any issues later on. In Kansas, with real winters, the frost depth is probably around 24 inches, which could affect your monolithic pour differently than in the desert Southwest, where it’s only 12-16 inches deep. Your building official might have a helpful detail that you can use without having to consult an engineer. If you’re doing the pour yourself, a concrete contractor could also provide some useful insights.
Is just considering my options. Thinking about either having someone build it for me or doing it myself. I’m leaning towards hiring a contractor for the foundation and then building the home myself.
Oh, I steer clear of concrete work. I usually hire someone else to do it. You might want to reach out to professionals to get an idea of what’s typically done in your area. It’s best to talk to a few contractors and go with your instincts. Subcontracting can be tricky. Ask for recommendations from friends, but stay cautious. You don’t want to get taken advantage of when working on your home.
Said yes.
Your county should provide a user-friendly PDF containing building codes. A simple search online will lead you to the right information, it’s best to start locally.
Expresses gratitude
Doesn’t provide foundation design guidelines in city info
Have you checked out ‘s residential foundation document yet? It’s worth a look!
This question is related to structural engineering. Start by obtaining architectural design plans and elevations. Then consult a structural engineer to design the slab, determine the need for large beams, and create a roof framing plan. Many concrete contractors rely on their experience to make educated guesses.
The information will be included in the approved engineering blueprint.
The city provides guidelines, but soil conditions vary across different areas of town. Inspectors assess this and may require larger footings.
The most effective way to find a solution is to get in touch with a concrete contractor. Describe your needs and inquire about their recommendations. They deal with these situations regularly. Typically, it involves a 4″ slab with a 36″ foundation around the perimeter. The slab may need to be thicker and deeper under load-bearing walls in the center. This question is a common one in the construction industry and professionals who handle it regularly know the standard response. An engineer might charge you $1000 for this information. For context, I’m a remodeling contractor based in South Central Kansas. I’m considering building a new home for a client, so I consulted a concrete contractor for advice on this exact issue. If I remember correctly, that was essentially the answer provided.
Local building codes will determine the necessary steps to be taken. You’ll need a building designer or an Architect to create engineered drawings for your building permit application.