Foundation wall too short (soil level too high)

Structure · Introduction · printed page 44 (PDF page 45)

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too Short Soil Level too High at Foundation Wall Footings – and Foundations Foundation – and Footing

Text in the illustration

rain
topsoil
if the soil level is too high,
extra loads are imposed on
the foundation and water can
infiltrate from the outside,
rotting wall and or floor
assemblies
foundation walls should
extend at least 6 inches
above grade level
backfill
rot
floor framing
continuous
wood leveling
plate
stone
foundation
concrete
basement
floor slab
cross
section

Generated explanation

The cross section depicts a stone foundation supporting wood floor framing on a continuous wood leveling plate, with a concrete basement floor slab at its base. Exterior topsoil and backfill rise above the top of the foundation to the masonry wall beside the floor framing. Rain and a heavy inward-pointing arrow illustrate water infiltration from the high exterior grade, with rot indicated at the end of the floor framing. An annotation warns that high soil levels also impose extra loads on the foundation. The illustration states that foundation walls should extend at least 6 inches above grade.