The new season is a great reason to make and keep resolutions. Whether it’s eating right or cleaning out the garage, here are some tips for making and keeping resolutions.

You can build a strong foundation for your outside garage by following these seven simple steps. Every time you park your car, you will be proud to know that you poured your own garage foundation. So, let's begin with step 1.

Site Preparation

Visit your local municipal authorities and request that any gas, power, or telephone lines near your construction site be marked. Hence, you know where you can safely dig. Layout the border of your garage with a white line. Mark the footprint with thread and wooden stakes pushed into the earth at the edges. The quantity of materials required is determined by the size of the project. Make a note of the measurements and visit a specialist at your hardware store.

Dig Trenches

Dig trenches around the perimeter of your garage for your footings. Local construction requirements will specify the lowest depth and width of your trenches. Still, overall, the trenches should be at least 12 inches - 18 inches broad and at least 18 inches deep. (In regions where the earth freezes, the code may require footings to be at least 48" below ground level to be below the "frost line" and keep the concrete from shifting.) Remove 3" to 4" of soil from the floor area while excavating the footings to allow the concrete pad.

Put Wooden Forming Boards

Place the wooden forming boards in the footing trenches, using wooden pegs to keep them in place. (These planks will be moved once the footings are in place.)

Put Rebar

Put 1/2" rebar horizontally on all footings, using rebar chairs to keep the rebar three inches away from the trench's bottom edge.

Pour the Concrete

Prepare the concrete for the footings, and then attach rebar every 12 to 16 inches, reaching vertically 8 to 10 inches above the surface, after the concrete has been poured but before it has set. This will connect the foundation walls and footings.

Creating Foundation Walls

Foundation walls are normally 8 to 10 inches high and centered on the footings. Install rebar horizontally in the foundation walls both before and after the concrete is poured. Then, put anchor bolts two to three inches above the surface into the wet concrete to support the sill plates of the wooden garage walls.

Concrete Floor

Apply a 2- to 3-inch sand or fine gravel layer and compact it. Put a vapor barrier over the sand/gravel layer to keep moisture from your finished garage. Then, rebar in a grid pattern 16 inches on the center across the floor to support your concrete pad. After pouring concrete into the floor area, use a long 2x4 to level the surface and produce a somewhat rough surface that is not too slippery to walk on.

The Drip Cap

1. Pouring a solid garage foundation is critical to constructing a stable garage.
2. Ensure precision when laying the rebar to ensure that your garage walls do not collapse in the event of an earthquake.
3. According to your plans, shovel out the earth from inside the layout, 1 foot wide by 18 inches deep.
4. Put the same rebar on top of the footing, maintaining it 3 inches away from the ground and air.
5. These bolts will hold the sill plates in place when the moment arises.

Conclusion

You can create a garage foundation if you keep these recommendations in mind. But, keep in mind that you are not required to accomplish it alone. A contractor may assist you in obtaining the foundation you require without all of the worry and work that comes with doing it yourself.