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More videos on YouTube Footings typically must extend below the frost line to prevent shifting during freeze-thaw cycles. Dig footing holes about 6 inches deeper than required. Fill the bottom of the hole with 6 inches of gravel and compact the gravel with a 2×4 or wood post.
What kind of gravel do you put under concrete?
It should also compact easily and be evenly compacted before the concrete is poured to provide strength and stability. Recycled gravel is suitable for use beneath a concrete driveway as long as it is clean and uniform.
Do you need gravel under patio, slab, footings?
One of the main differences is if you need gravel under the concrete patio, slab, or footing. You do need gravel under a concrete slab, footing, or patio. Gravel provides a solid foundation for your concrete as it can be compacted.
Is it OK to put gravel under concrete?
Gravel provides a solid foundation for your concrete as it can be compacted. It also improves drainage, preventing water from pooling beneath the concrete. While some may argue that very solid soils such as clay provide just as good a base as gravel, they still do not provide adequate drainage.
Why do you need gravel for a foundation?
Also stops wet clay/silt mixing with the concrete. For rock foundations – provides a level surface and minimises the chance of restraint from interlock between the concrete footing and the rock. There may be other reasons as well.
Can you use crushed stone under a footing?
Talk to a soils engineer if you are worried — but in my experience, either crusher-run gravel (compacted) or 3/4-inch crushed stone can be used under footings. So can rigid foam. An engineer may disagree. Timothy, as Martin says, a variety of produces are frequently used under footings.